FINAL BILL REPORT

                 2SHB 2292

                          C 41 L 96

                     Synopsis as Enacted

Brief Description:  Establishing the innovation and quality in higher education program.

Sponsors:  By House Committee on Appropriations (originally sponsored by Representatives Carlson, Jacobsen and Murray; by request of Higher Education Coordinating Board).

House Committee on Higher Education

House Committee on Appropriations

Senate Committee on Higher Education

Background:  In 1991, the Washington Fund for Excellence in Higher Education program was established in law.  The purpose of the program is to encourage institutions of higher education to develop innovative and collaborative solutions to critical, statewide educational challenges facing the state.  The Higher Education Coordinating Board is responsible for program administration.  When funding is available, the board is to provide grants on a competitive basis to public colleges or consortia of colleges.  The grants cannot last more than two years.

The program has never received funding.

Summary:  The Washington Fund for Excellence in Higher Education program is renamed the Washington Fund for Innovation and Quality program.  Through the program, incentive grants will be awarded on a competitive basis to institutions of higher education and their faculties.  Guidelines for the program will be developed by the Higher Education Coordinating Board.  The guidelines will be consistent with the outcomes of increasing access, improving time to degree, improving student learning, and increasing efficiency and collaboration between higher education institutions and the private sector.

Grants may be available for innovative collaborative programs and individual projects proposed by institutions or faculty.  Examples of collaborative programs include developing a three-year degree, reducing the time needed to complete a baccalaureate program, and developing a degree to be offered on the Internet.  Examples of individual projects include efforts to improve efficiency by 5 percent each year, improve student retention, and develop competencies and outcomes for general education or university requirements and degree programs.  Grants may also be available for initiatives that encourage minority participation and enhance a collaborative approach to training new teachers.

Votes on Final Passage:

House     96 0

Senate    45 0

Effective:  June 6, 1996