SENATE BILL REPORT

                  2SHB 1400

                     As of March 20, 1995

Title:  An act relating to remedial or precollege work at public institutions of higher education.

Brief Description:  Prohibiting the use of state funds or student operating fees for most remedial or precollege classes at institutions of higher education.

Sponsors:  House Committee on Appropriations (originally sponsored by Representatives Silver, Mulliken, Blanton, B. Thomas, Huff, Mielke, Honeyford, Hargrove and Boldt).

Brief History:

Committee Activity:  Higher Education:  3/23/95.

SENATE COMMITTEE ON HIGHER EDUCATION

Staff:  Jean Six (786-7423)

Background:  According to a national survey of colleges and universities released by the National Center for Educational Statistics, 30 percent of college freshmen took at least one remedial or precollege course in the fall of 1989.

Community Colleges:  During the 1993-94 academic year, 18,027 full time equivalent (FTE) students were enrolled in precollege classes in community and technical colleges.  The system expended about $55,660,000 in state general fund monies and student operating fees on the classes.  About 2,243 of those FTE students, or 12 percent, had received a high school diploma within the previous three years.   Most of the recent high school graduates were enrolled in English (36 percent) or math (51 percent).   However, 4 percent of the recent high school graduates were enrolled in Adult Basic Education (ABE) classes.  ABE classes are designed to bring students to an eighth grade level.   Eight percent of the recent graduates were enrolled in English as a Second Language (ESL) classes.

Regional Institutions:  During the 1993-94 academic year, 621 students at Central Washington University were enrolled in state supported precollege classes or laboratories in English, writing, spelling, reading, and mathematics.  These students comprised 124 FTEs.  During that academic year, the cost of providing these classes was about $169,000 in state general fund and student operating fee dollars.  At Eastern Washington University, 1,121 students were enrolled in precollege classes during the 1993-94 academic year.  These students constituted 115 FTEs.  The cost of providing the classes was estimated to be $102,516.   Sixty-three students at Western were enrolled in a state supported precollege classes that same year.  These students generated 21 FTEs.  The cost of serving these students was estimated to be $7,971 in state general fund monies and student operating fees.

The Evergreen State College does not offer state supported precollege classes. 

Research Universities:  State supported precollege classes at the University of Washington (UW) are restricted to participants in the Educational Opportunity Program for disadvantaged students.  During the 1993-94 academic year, 379 students were enrolled in precollege mathematics and English classes.  These students constituted 188 FTEs.  The university expended $294,330 on these classes.  Other UW students may take precollege classes offered by Seattle community colleges or through university extension programs.  Any extension classes are self supporting.

During the 1993-94 academic year, at Washington State University, 231 students were enrolled in precollege classes.  These students generated 46 FTEs.  Most of the students were enrolled in precollege mathematics.  The remaining 18 were enrolled in an ESL class.  The university expended $24,350 on these classes in the 1993-94 academic year.

Summary of Bill:  By June 30, 1996, the Higher Education Coordinating Board (HECB) must adopt common definitions of remedial and precollege material and course work.   As it deliberates, the board consults with K-12 and higher education faculty, teachers, and administrators.   The definitions adopted by the board are rigorous, challenging students to come to college well prepared to engage in college work.  Each public college and university must adopt the definitions.

Beginning with the fall 1996 academic term, the public baccalaureate universities and college may not offer precollege classes funded by state monies or student operating fees.  There are two exceptions:  English as a second language classes and precollege classes for students in equal opportunity programs may be offered using state funds and student operating fees.  At the beginning of the fall 1996 academic term, any credits received for precollege classes cannot be used to meet the number of credits required for a baccalaureate or associate degree. 

Appropriation:  None.

Fiscal Note:  Available.

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