BP BHEAD INT S [atlas:bill]

AN ACT Relating to the running start program; and amending RCW 28A.600.310.

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. 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. If the institution of higher education accepts a secondary school pupil for enrollment under this section, the institution of higher education shall send written notice to the pupil and the pupil's school district within ten days of acceptance. The notice shall indicate the course and hours of enrollment for that pupil.

(2) The pupil'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. The calculations and allocations 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. The institution of higher education shall not require the pupil 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.

(3)(a) This section does not prohibit home school students from enrolling in an institution of higher education under the provisions of this section. This section does not prohibit students enrolled in approved private schools from enrolling in an institution of higher education under the provisions of this section. Home school students and private school students may apply directly to participating institutions of higher education for enrollment under this section. Participating institutions of higher education and approved private schools may enter into agreements for the award of both high school credit and postsecondary credit under RCW 28A.600.350 for students enrolled in approved private schools. State funds may not be transmitted to private schools under this section.

(b) The superintendent of public instruction shall transmit funds in an amount per each full-time equivalent college student at state-wide uniform rates for vocational and nonvocational students directly to institutions of higher education for home school students not enrolled in a school district and students enrolled in an approved private school. The superintendent of public instruction shall separately calculate and allocate moneys appropriated for basic education under RCW 28A.150.260 for the purposes of making such payments directly to participating institutions of higher education. The calculations and allocations shall be based upon the estimated state-wide annual average per full-time equivalent high school student under RCW 28A.150.260, excluding small high school enhancements, and applicable rules adopted under chapter 34.05 RCW.