Brief Description: Establishing the college in the high school program.

Sponsors: Representatives Kenney, Rodne, Sells, Quall, Dickerson and Morrell; by request of Governor Locke.

Hearing Date: 1/27/05

Staff: Sydney Forrester (786-7120).

Background:

A variety of education programs allow high school students to earn post-secondary course credit while also earning credit toward high school graduation. Examples of dual credit programs 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 Running Start program provides students the opportunity to earn dual credit for classes offered on the campus of a two or four-year institution of higher education. Program rules provide for a distribution of funds from the student's school district to the institution of higher education to cover the cost of the student's participation. A comparable funding mechanism does not exist for programs in which students earn credit for college classes offered at their high school campus.

Summary of Bill:

The SPI, the SBCTC, and the HECB are directed to adopt rules for the College in the High School Program. Rules must encourage maximum use of the program.

Under the program, public two and four-year colleges may charge a fee of up to $280 per five-credit course for college courses offered at a high school through a partnership with a school district. Students in grades 11 and 12, and students who have not graduated and are eligible to be in grades 11 and 12, may participate. Program admission standards may be established by school districts and their partnering institutions. Participating districts must provide program information to students in grades 10, 11, and 12 and their families.

The SPI must allocate to school districts $140 per pupil per five-credit course, and $280 per pupil for students eligible for free and reduced priced meals. School districts must transfer the amount to the appropriate college or university.

School districts must offer high school credit for completion of college courses. The number of credits will be determined by examining comparable courses, but if no comparable course is offered at the high school, the district superintendent must determine the number of credits prior to the student enrolling in a course. High school transcripts must reflect successfully completed courses.

The SPI is directed to develop counseling guidelines to ensure student and parents understand the credits earned in high school dual credit programs count toward the total number of credits for financial aid purposes. Information about the college in the high school program must be included in the SPI's annual distribution of information about enrollment options for high school students. Schools also must include the college in the high school program in the information provided to students regarding optional educational pathways.

Appropriation: None.

Fiscal Note: Available.

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