SENATE BILL REPORT

                            SB 5883

               AS PASSED SENATE, MARCH 11, 1993

Brief Description:  Changing funding procedures for high school students enrolled in the running start program in community or technical colleges.

SPONSORS: Senators Bauer, Erwin, M. Rasmussen and Roach; by request of Superintendent of Public Instruction

SENATE COMMITTEE ON HIGHER EDUCATION

Majority Report:  Do pass. 

     Signed by Senators Bauer, Chairman; Drew, Vice Chairman; Jesernig, Sheldon, von Reichbauer, and West.

Staff:  Scott Huntley (786‑7421)

Hearing Dates: March 1, 1993; March 3, 1993

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON EDUCATION

BACKGROUND:

The Running Start program was originally authorized in 1990.  The program allows students and parents the choice of including college level courses in their high school program at the junior and senior level.  Under the Running Start program, 11th and 12th grade students may enroll in a community college or technical college for high school and college credit.  The program directs the local school district to reimburse the college for the student with a proportionate share of the school district's state basic education funding.

As the program is presently constructed, separate arrangements for reimbursement must be made between each school district sending a student and each community or technical college receiving a student.  These reimbursements vary between districts and colleges because basic education funding varies between school districts.  Some small high school reimbursements are markedly less than the average basic education allocation, and may not fully fund all the costs of the receiving college.

It has been recommended that the reimbursement procedures and amounts be set at the state level in order to simplify the arrangements between school districts and colleges and to provide for a consistent level of reimbursement.

SUMMARY:

The reimbursement from school districts to community or technical colleges for students in the Running Start program will be calculated and allocated by the Superintendent of Public Instruction, in accordance with applicable rules and provisions of the biennial operating appropriations act.  The Superintendent of Public Instruction and the State Board for Community and Technical Colleges will consult on the distribution of the funds transferred through this program.

Corrections are made to the references to Vocational-Technical Institutes in the Running Start statute.  These schools are now known as Technical Colleges.

Appropriation:  none 

Revenue:  none

Fiscal Note:  requested February 23, 1993

TESTIMONY FOR:

This bill will create a single, consistent formula for the reimbursement of community and technical colleges for the Running Start program.  This will eliminate the need for each school district and each college to negotiate repayment because there will be a statewide method established.  The colleges will receive a consistent reimbursement which will cover the costs associated with the high school students in this program.

TESTIMONY AGAINST:  None

TESTIFIED:  Dr. Steve Chestnut, Superintendent, Dayton School District (pro); Ron Crossland, SBCTC (pro); Ken Kanikeberg, SPI (pro); Terry Bergeson, WEA (pro); Ken Minnaert, SPSCC (pro); Jim Sorenson, Skagit Valley CC (pro); Vee Sutherland, Spokane CC (pro)

HOUSE AMENDMENT(S):

The reimbursement from school districts to community and technical colleges for Running Start students will be determined by the Superintendent of Public Instruction through the development of statewide uniform rates.  The Superintendent of Public Instruction is required to consult with the State Board for Community and Technical Colleges on the calculation and distribution of Running Start funds.  Criteria for developing the statewide uniform rates are specified.  An effective date of September 1, 1993 is added.