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.

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.