S-4720.3                   _______________________________________________

                                            SUBSTITUTE SENATE BILL 6332

                              _______________________________________________

State of Washington                              53rd Legislature                             1994 Regular Session

By Senate Committee on Higher Education (originally sponsored by Senators Bauer, West, Sutherland, Drew and Snyder)

Read first time 02/03/94.

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

          AN ACT Relating to credit equivalencies for credits earned at institutions of higher education; adding new sections to chapter 28A.305 RCW; adding a new section to chapter 28B.80 RCW; and declaring an emergency.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:

NEW SECTION. Sec. 1.  A new section is added to chapter 28A.305 RCW to read as follows:

          In exercising the state board of education's authority to establish high school credit equivalencies for credits earned at institutions of higher education, the state board of education has highlighted the need for an ongoing forum that encourages the 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 of the state's education system.  The legislature appreciates the willingness of the state board of education to consider any recommendations from the task force created in section 2 of this act and to delay until September 1995, implementation of its rule establishing course equivalencies.  Ultimately the issue of credit equivalencies must be decided within the broad context of education reform and the desire of the legislature to provide options for students to move through the system without meeting bureaucratic barriers to individual educational success.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 2.  A new section is added to chapter 28A.305 RCW to read as follows:

          (1) By May 1, 1994, or as soon as possible thereafter, the higher education coordinating board and the state board of education shall convene a task force creating a forum for ongoing discussion of curriculum issues that transect higher education and the common schools.  In selecting members of the task force, the boards shall consult the office of the superintendent of public instruction, the commission on student learning, the state board for community and technical colleges, the work force training and education coordinating board, representatives of the four-year institutions, representatives of the school directors, the school and district administrators, teachers, higher education faculty, students, counselors, vocational directors, parents, and other interested organizations.  The process shall be designed to provide advice and counsel to the appropriate boards on topics that may include but are not limited to:  (a) The changing nature of educational instruction and crediting, and awarding appropriate credit for knowledge and competencies learned in a variety of ways in both institutions of higher education and high schools;  (b) options for students to enroll in programs and institutions that will best meet the students' needs and educational goals; and (c) articulation agreements between institutions of higher education and high schools.

          (2) By December 30, 1994, after considering the advice of the task force created in this section, the higher education coordinating board and the state board of education shall report the recommendations on establishing credit equivalencies to the house of representatives and senate education and higher education committees.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 3.  A new section is added to chapter 28B.80 RCW to read as follows:

          The higher education coordinating board shall work with the state board of education to establish the task force under section 2 of this act.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 4.  This act is necessary for the immediate preservation of the public peace, health, or safety, or support of the state government and its existing public institutions, and shall take effect immediately.

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