BILL REQ. #:  H-4164.1 

Read first time 01/17/2006.   Referred to Committee on Higher Education & Workforce Education.

     AN ACT Relating to creating college-readiness standards based on skills and abilities; creating a new section; and providing an expiration date.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 1   (1) The legislature finds that the focus of college-readiness standards for students has been on courses and credits. It is the legislature's intent to change the focus of college-readiness to student skills and abilities.
     (2) The higher education coordinating board, with cooperation and assistance from the state board for community and technical colleges, the council of presidents, and representatives from each of the research universities, branch campuses, and regional universities, and with approval from the state board of education, shall create a description of the minimum skills and abilities necessary for students to enter and succeed in postsecondary education. This work shall be structured so that the costs are absorbed within existing agency and institution budgets.
     (3)(a) The higher education coordinating board shall report to appropriate committees of the legislature on the progress and status of the project in this section by March 1, 2007. The report shall identify any barriers encountered by the project.
     (b) The higher education coordinating board shall submit a final report to appropriate committees of the legislature by December 1, 2007. The report shall identify the skills and abilities necessary for students to enter and succeed in postsecondary education.
     (4) This section expires June 30, 2008.