SENATE BILL REPORT

HB 2438

As Reported By Senate Committee On:

Higher Education, February 21, 2002

Title:  An act relating to the participation in the running start program by institutions of higher education.

Brief Description:  Expanding the running start program to allow participation by The Evergreen State College.

Sponsors:  Representatives Kenney, Cox, Lantz, Jarrett, Quall, Haigh, Chase, Jackley, Darneille, Ogden and McIntire; by request of The Evergreen State College.

Brief History:

Committee Activity:  Higher Education:  2/21/02 [DP].

SENATE COMMITTEE ON HIGHER EDUCATION

Majority Report:  Do pass.

Signed by Senators Kohl‑Welles, Chair; Shin, Vice Chair; Carlson, Horn, McAuliffe and B. Sheldon.

Staff:  Heather Lewis-Lechner (786-7448)

Background:  In Washington, under the Running Start program, eleventh and twelfth grade students or students who have not yet received a high school diploma or its equivalent but are eligible to be in the eleventh or twelfth grades can apply to participating higher education institutions to enroll in courses or programs at the institution and earn high school and college credit simultaneously.  The Running Start program was initiated in 1990 and since its implementation, 72,059 students have participated in the program.  Of those students, 3,017 have graduated from high school with both a diploma and an Associate of Arts degree.  Most students who participate in Running Start earn approximately one year's worth of college course credit by the time the student graduates from high school.  Under current law, participating four-year institutions include Central Washington University, Eastern Washington University and Washington State University.

Summary of Bill:  The Evergreen State College is added to the list of participating four-year institutions.

Appropriation:  None.

Fiscal Note:  Available.

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

Testimony For:  This bill will allow expansion of the Running Start program and give more students greater access to the program.  This bill is good for students.

Testimony Against:  None.

Testified:  PRO:  Representative Phyllis Kenney, prime sponsor; Edie Harding, TESC.