HOUSE BILL REPORT

                  SB 6438

                  As Passed House - Amended

                        March 4, 1994

Title:  An act relating to the running start program.

Brief Description:  Allowing four‑year institutions of higher education to accept students in the running start program.

Sponsors:  Senators Bauer, Hochstatter, Deccio, Sutherland, Drew, McAuliffe, Oke and Winsley.

Brief History:

  Reported by House Committee on:

Education, February 25, 1994, DPA.

Passed House - Amended, March 4, 1994, 93-2.

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON EDUCATION

Majority Report:  Do pass as amended.  Signed by 14 members:  Representatives Dorn, Chair; Cothern, Vice Chair; B. Thomas, Assistant Ranking Minority Member; Carlson; Eide; Hansen; Holm; Karahalios; J. Kohl; Patterson; Pruitt; Roland; Stevens and L. Thomas.

Minority Report:  Do not pass.  Signed by 4 members:  Representatives Brough, Ranking Minority Member; Brumsickle; G. Cole and Jones.

Staff:  Robert Butts (786-7111).

Background:  The Running Start program provides an opportunity for qualified 11th and 12th grade high school students to enroll in community and technical colleges to satisfy high school graduation requirements as well as earn college credit.  In 1990, the Legislature authorized the state Board for Community and Technical Colleges (SBCTC) to operate Running Start programs at five pilot sites.  All community and technical colleges were required to offer Running Start beginning in the fall of 1992.

During 1992-93, the first year of statewide implementation, approximately 3,500 annual unduplicated high school students enrolled in Washington community and technical colleges under the program.  The 1993 fall quarter enrollments show a 3,986 headcount enrollment, producing approximately 2,614 full-time equivalent students.  The average Running Start student, as measured by grade point average, continues to perform at least as well as the average entering community or technical college student.

Not all high school students in Washington have access to a community or technical college, yet would like access to the Running Start program.

Summary of Bill:  Central Washington University may participate in the Running Start program if its governing board decides to do so.

Fiscal Note:  Requested January 24, 1994.

Effective Date:  Ninety days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.

Testimony For:  This will improve access to the Running Start program for students, especially in areas where there are no community colleges.

Testimony Against:  None.

Witnesses:  Representative Carlson; and George Durrie, Eastern Washington University.