S-1051.1  _______________________________________________

                         SENATE BILL 5557

          _______________________________________________

State of Washington      54th Legislature     1995 Regular Session

By Senators Sutherland, Bauer, Wood, Palmer and Kohl

Read first time 01/26/95.  Referred to Committee on Higher Education.

Establishing the Washington assessment of prior experiential learning program.

    AN ACT Relating to assessment of prior experiential learning programs in higher education; adding a new chapter to Title 28B RCW; and declaring an emergency.

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

NEW SECTION. Sec. 1.  The legislature finds and declares that:

    Providing greater flexibility and access to undergraduate degree programs for the working adult population is of vital importance to the expansion of economic opportunities for individuals and families.

    Existing degree programs are not providing the needed flexibility for many working adults.  In order to provide greater access to a larger portion of the working adult population, more creative alternatives to the traditional time and place-bound educational delivery system must be developed.

    As demonstrated in other states, the opportunity for working adult students to earn college credit for clearly demonstrating important knowledge that they have attained in the workplace is a key element for providing greater access to undergraduate degree programs.  These credit-for-prior-learning-experience opportunities have also been shown to be most effective when they are offered as a component of distance learning programs.

    Although many institutions of higher education in Washington provide opportunities to earn credit for prior learning experience, these programs are extremely dissimilar in their standards, requirements, and credit allocations.  In addition, they are not adequately included as a component of distance learning programs.  It is, therefore, necessary that state-wide standards, requirements, and guidelines be developed to bring more uniformity and academic cooperation to the delivery of these important educational opportunities.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 2.  (1) The Washington assessment of prior experiential learning program is established.  The program shall be developed by the higher education coordinating board with the assistance and support of the state board for community and technical colleges, the work force training and education coordinating board, the state's institutions of higher education, and representatives of private enterprise.  The board shall also seek the advice of institutions of higher education in other states that have developed prior experiential learning programs.

    The board shall develop and adopt rules concerning program standards, requirements, and general guidelines.  Rules shall address, but are not limited to:

    (a) Minimum and maximum numbers of credits that can be earned;

    (b) Types of academic degree programs to which credits can be applied;

    (c) Minimum student requirements for demonstrating prior experiential learning;

    (d) Guidelines for adequate faculty evaluation of student demonstration of prior experiential learning;

    (e) Guidelines for determining what types of learning experiences qualify for the program;

    (f) Tuition rates; and

    (g) A uniform format for reporting prior experiential learning credits on academic transcripts.

    (2) The Washington assessment of prior experiential learning program shall be administered independently by public institutions of higher education in accordance with the rules and guidelines adopted by the board.

    (3) The program shall be made available to students who are enrolled in distance learning programs.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 3.  Beginning in the fall term of 1995, Washington State University shall make the Washington assessment of prior experiential learning program available to all students, including those enrolled in distance learning programs at its branch campus in Clark county.

    In order to best meet the needs of the citizens of southwest Washington, Washington State University shall seek the advice of, and work together with, the administrations of Lower Columbia College and Clark College, and the local business community, in developing the program.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 4.  Beginning in the fall term of 1995, all public institutions of higher education are encouraged to begin offering a program of prior experiential learning to their students.

    Beginning in the fall term of 1996, all public institutions of higher education that are presently offering credit for prior learning experience shall implement the Washington assessment of prior experiential learning program in order to continue providing this opportunity to their students.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 5.  Sections 1 through 4 of this act shall constitute a new chapter in Title 28B RCW.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 6.  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.

                            --- END ---