Brief Description: Prohibiting high school students in the Running Start program from taking precollege courses at institutions of higher education.

Sponsors: Representatives Gombosky, Cox, Kenney, Chase, Jarrett and McIntire.

Hearing Date: 3/4/03

Staff: Sydney Forrester (786-7120).

Background:

The Running Start program was enacted by the Legislature in 1990 to allow high school students in the 11th and 12th grades to enroll in college-level courses while earning high school credit. Students may enroll simultaneously in high school and college classes or solely in college courses. Once enrolled students are subject to the colleges' academic progress policies for the courses taken. Students who successfully complete classes under the program receive both high school and college credit.

Tuition is paid to the colleges from state high school funding on an FTE basis. On a monthly basis, each college sends to the appropriate high schools a list of the courses completed by the school's Running Start students. The college and the high school coordinate billing and payment for college-level courses only.

Summary of Bill:

A high school student must have earned a minimum grade point average of 2.5 to be eligible to enroll and participate in the Running Start program. Precollege courses are excluded from the types of courses in which a Running Start student may enroll under the program.

Appropriation: None.

Fiscal Note: Not Requested.

Effective Date: The bill takes effect August 1, 2003.