SENATE BILL REPORT

                           SHB 2274

AS REPORTED BY COMMITTEE ON HIGHER EDUCATION, FEBRUARY 25, 1994

Brief Description:  Establishing high school credit equivalencies for credits earned in institutions of higher education.

SPONSORS: House Committee on Education (originally sponsored by Representatives Quall, Carlson, R. Meyers, Brough, Basich, Karahalios, Peery, Kessler, Eide, L. Johnson, Linville, Shin, Hansen, Talcott, Long, Van Luven, Cooke, Veloria, Scott, Johanson, Finkbeiner, Dunshee, Schoesler, Mastin, Pruitt, Wineberry, King, Conway, Kremen, Springer and H. Myers)

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON EDUCATION

SENATE COMMITTEE ON HIGHER EDUCATION

Majority Report:  Do pass as amended. 

     Signed by Senators Bauer, Chairman; Drew, Vice Chairman; Cantu, Prince and Sheldon.

Staff:  Jean Six (786‑7423)

Hearing Dates: February 21, 1994; February 25, 1994

BACKGROUND:

The Legislature has instructed the state Board of Education (SBE) to establish minimum high school graduation requirements or equivalencies.  In response to this directive, the state board adopted a definition of high school credits in 1984.  The definition was modified in November 1993.

Prior to the change in November 1993, five college quarter hour credits equaled a high school credit, which is equal to a 180-day high school class.  The new rule states that five college quarter hours equal .75 of a high school credit. 

Under the new rule, a high school student who attends college fulltime will earn 6.75 high school credits annually, compared to nine high school credits prior to the rule change.  A regularly enrolled high school student earns six high school credits annually.

SUMMARY:

The SBE agrees to delay implementation of its rule establishing course equivalencies until September 1995.

By May 1, 1994, the Higher Education Coordinating Board (HECB) and the SBE will convene a task force for ongoing discussions of curriculum issues that transect higher education and the common schools.  The task force encourages various education entities to provide each other with advice and counsel as rules and policies are adopted that have implications for students in all sectors.

By December 30, 1994, the HECB and the SBE will report  their recommendations on credit equivalencies to the House and Senate Education and Higher Education Committees.

SUMMARY OF PROPOSED COMMITTEE AMENDMENT:

The Washington Council on High School-College Relations is added to the task force.

Appropriation:  none

Revenue:  none

Fiscal Note:  available

Effective Date:  The bill contains an emergency clause and takes effect immediately.

TESTIMONY FOR:

Running Start is a valuable program that provides an option for high school students.

TESTIMONY AGAINST:  None

TESTIFIED:  Tana Hassart, Clark College