Title: An act relating to strengthening linkages between K-12 and higher education systems.

Brief Description: Strengthening linkages between K-12 and higher education systems.

Sponsors: Representatives Quall, Talcott, Rockefeller, Kenney, McDermott, Upthegrove, Santos, Anderson, Ormsby, Edwards, Linville, Wallace, Morrell, Kagi and Simpson, G..

Brief Summary of Substitute Bill

• Directs the creation, expansion, and strengthening of dual enrollment programs for high school students.

• Requires a report to the Legislature on efforts to increase the availability of dual enrollment programs.

Majority Report: The substitute bill be substituted therefor and the substitute bill do pass. Signed by 10 members: Representatives Quall, Chair; McDermott, Vice Chair; Talcott, Ranking Minority Member; Tom, Assistant Ranking Minority Member; Anderson, Cox, Haigh, Hunter, McMahan and Santos.

A variety of programs allow high school students to earn post secondary course credit while earning credit toward high school graduation. Examples include Running Start, College in the High School, Tech Prep, and International Baccalaureate. Students who participate in these dual enrollment programs have the opportunity to graduate from high school with all or a portion of their intended college course work already completed.

The Higher Education Coordinating Board (HECB), the Council of Presidents (COP), the State Board for Community and Technical Colleges (SBCTC), the Superintendent of Public Instruction (SPI), the Work Force Training and Education Board (WFTEB) and representatives from school superintendents and secondary school principals are directed to strengthen, expand, and create dual enrollment programs by removing barriers that inhibit the availability of such programs, and by creating incentives for offering these programs.

A report to the Legislature is required by December 15, 2004, in which the group is directed to describe actions taken and to make recommendations for legislative actions to further encourage the availability of dual enrollment programs on high school campuses.

Representatives from secondary school principals and school district superintendents, and from the WFTEB are added to the group directed to study dual enrollment programs.

The provision directing the group to examine the feasibility of using the Washington Assessment of Student Learning (WASL) as a factor for admissions and placement at higher education institutions is removed.

Effective Date of Substitute Bill: The bill takes effect 90 days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.

Testimony For: Opportunities for students to take advantage of dual enrollment programs helps infuse an element of rigor in the high school curriculum. The SPI has already been looking at the potential benefits of using the WASL in college admissions processes. The COP is committed to continuing to work with the other education groups, especially regarding math standards.

Recommendations from the various groups would contribute to the efficiency of dual enrollment programs in meeting students' needs. Adding representation from the principals' associations and from the WFTEB would bring additional perspectives.

Persons Testifying: (In support) Representative Quall, prime sponsor; Brian Jeffries, Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction; Cindy Morana, Council of Presidents; Wes Pruit, Workforce Training and Education Board; Rainer Houser, Association of Washington School Principals; Bruce Botka, Higher Education Coordinating Board; Dan Steele, Washington State School Directors Association; and Bill Moore, State Board for Community and Technical Colleges.