Washington State House of Representatives Office of Program Research |
BILL ANALYSIS |
Education Committee | |
HB 2866
Brief Description: Providing for adoption of course equivalencies for career and technical courses.
Sponsors: Representatives P. Sullivan, Priest, Quall, Curtis, Ormsby, Talcott, Linville, Kenney and Simpson.
Brief Summary of Bill |
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Hearing Date: 1/25/06
Staff: Barbara McLain (786-7383).
Background:
The State Board of Education (SBE) has authority to adopt rules regarding equivalencies for
courses required for high school graduation. Rules that establish equivalencies must recognize
the relevance of vocational and applied courses and allow them to meet graduation requirements,
either in whole or in part. The SBE has not adopted any rules regarding equivalencies for career
and technical courses. It is left to each school district to determine whether and to what extent
career and technical courses meet graduation requirements in core academic areas. School
districts are not required to adopt these equivalencies.
The Higher Education Coordinating Board (HECB) has authority to establish minimum college
admission standards for the state's public four-year institutions of higher education. Since 1991,
the HECB's policy has been that each school district determines which high school courses meet
the core courses required for admission. These courses are listed on a high school core course
database maintained by the HECB that college admissions officers can check against applicants'
transcripts.
Summary of Bill:
Each high school or school board must adopt course equivalencies for all high school career and
technical courses, using a course equivalency approval procedure adopted by the board. The
equivalency can be for whole or partial credit. Career and technical courses determined to be
equivalent to academic core courses must be accepted as meeting core requirements, including
graduation requirements, if the courses are transcripted on the student's diploma using the
academic department designation and title.
Any SBE rules regarding equivalencies for career and technical courses must be in accordance
with the equivalencies established by high schools or school boards.
Appropriation: None.
Fiscal Note: Not requested.
Effective Date: The bill takes effect 90 days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.