HOUSE BILL ANALYSIS

                  HB 1202

Title:  An act relating to high school credit equivalencies.

Brief Description:  Adopting the recommendations of the task force examining high school credit equivalencies.

Sponsors:  Representatives Quall, Dickerson, Poulsen, Smith, O'Brien, Costa, Ogden and Mason.

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON EDUCATION

Meeting Date:  January 28, 1997.

Bill Analysis Prepared by:  Joe Hauth (786-7111).

Background:  The Legislature has directed the State Board of Education to establish minimum high school graduation requirements or equivalencies.  The State Board of Education originally defined 1 high school credit as 150 hours of planned in-school instruction, or 5 quarter or 3 semester hours of college or university level course work. 

A high school student will normally earn 6 high school credits annually.  A high school student attending college full-time would earn 9 high school credits.

In 1993, the State Board of Education modified the definition of high school credit equivalencies.  Under the new definition, .75 high school credits equals 5 quarter or 3 semester hours of college or university level course work.  A high school student attending college full-time will earn 6.75 high school credits.  The State Board of Education has delayed implementing the new conversion rate until September, 1997.  WAC 180-51-050. 

In 1994, the Legislature directed the State Board of Education and the Higher Education Coordinating Board to convene a task force on curriculum issues, and to develop recommendations regarding credit equivalencies by December, 1994.  The task force recommended unanimously that the State Board of Education maintain the definition that 1 high school credit is equal to 5 quarter or 3 semester hours of college or university level course work. 

Summary of Bill:  Credit equivalency is defined.  One high school credit equals 5 quarter or 3 semester hours at the college or university level. 

The obsolete requirement for the task force to report recommendations on credit equivalencies by December, 1994 is deleted. 

Fiscal Note:   Not requested.

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