H-3437.2          _______________________________________________

                                  HOUSE BILL 2142

                  _______________________________________________

State of Washington              54th Legislature             1996 Regular Session

By Representatives Beeksma, D. Schmidt, Smith, Hymes, Backlund, Thompson, McMorris, Johnson, Mulliken, Sheldon, D. Sommers, Koster, Carrell, Campbell, Cooke, Goldsmith and McMahan

Read first time 01/08/96.  Referred to Committee on Education.

Authorizing students receiving home-based instruction to participate in the running start program.

     AN ACT Relating to students receiving home-based instruction participating in the running start program; and amending RCW 28A.600.310 and 28A.600.320.

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

     Sec. 1.  RCW 28A.600.310 and 1994 c 205 s 2 are each amended to read as follows:

     (1) Eleventh and twelfth grade students or students who have not yet received a high school diploma or its equivalent and are eligible to be in the eleventh or twelfth grades may apply to a participating institution of higher education to enroll in courses or programs offered by the institution of higher education.  In addition, children receiving home-based instruction under chapter 28A.200 RCW who are eligible to be in the eleventh or twelfth grades and who have not yet received a high school diploma or its equivalent may apply to a participating institution of higher education to enroll in courses or programs offered by the institution of higher education.  However, students are eligible to enroll in courses or programs in participating universities only if the board of directors of the student's school district has decided to participate in the program.  Participating institutions of higher education, in consultation with school districts, may establish admission standards for ((these)) students.  However, children receiving home-based instruction shall not be required to be working toward a high school diploma as a condition of participation in the running start program and shall be allowed to enroll in the running start program upon successful completion of a placement exam, as determined by the institution of higher education.  If the institution of higher education accepts a secondary school ((pupil)) student for enrollment under this section, the institution of higher education shall send written notice to the ((pupil)) student and the ((pupil's)) student's school district within ten days of acceptance.  For children receiving home-based instruction, the institution of higher education shall send written notice to the child upon acceptance for enrollment under this section.  The notice shall indicate the course and hours of enrollment for that ((pupil)) student.

     (2)(a) For children enrolled in high school, the ((pupil's)) student's school district shall transmit to the institution of higher education an amount per each full-time equivalent college student at state-wide uniform rates for vocational and nonvocational students.  The superintendent of public instruction shall separately calculate and allocate moneys appropriated for basic education under RCW 28A.150.260 to school districts for purposes of making such payments and for granting school districts seven percent thereof to offset program related costs.

(b) For children receiving home-based instruction, the superintendent of public instruction shall transmit to the institution of higher education an amount per each full-time equivalent college student at state-wide uniform rates for vocational and nonvocational students.

(c) The calculations and allocations in (a) and (b) of this subsection shall be based upon the estimated state-wide annual average per full-time equivalent high school student allocations under RCW 28A.150.260, excluding small high school enhancements, and applicable rules adopted under chapter 34.05 RCW.  The superintendent of public instruction, the higher education coordinating board, and the state board for community and technical colleges shall consult on the calculation and distribution of the funds.

(d) The institution of higher education shall not require the ((pupil)) student to pay any other fees.  The funds received by the institution of higher education from the school district shall not be deemed tuition or operating fees and may be retained by the institution of higher education.  A student enrolled under this subsection shall not be counted for the purpose of determining any enrollment restrictions imposed by the state on the institution of higher education.

     Sec. 2.  RCW 28A.600.320 and 1994 c 205 s 3 are each amended to read as follows:

     A school district shall provide general information about the program to all ((pupils)) students in grades ten, eleven, and twelve, including children receiving home-based instruction who are in the equivalent of grades ten, eleven, and twelve, and the parents and guardians of those ((pupils)) students.  To assist the district in planning, a ((pupil)) student enrolled in a high school shall inform the district of the ((pupil's)) student's intent to enroll in courses at an institution of higher education for credit.  Students are responsible for applying for admission to the institution of higher education.

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