BILL REQ. #:  H-4537.1 

Read first time 01/27/2006.   Referred to Committee on Education.

     AN ACT Relating to creating opportunities for students to earn a meaningful high school diploma through college and career readiness centers; amending RCW 28B.15.520 and 28B.15.067; adding a new section to chapter 28A.230 RCW; adding a new section to chapter 28B.50 RCW; and creating new sections.

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

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 1   (1) The legislature finds that the goal of Washington's education reform is for all students to meet rigorous academic standards so that they are prepared for success in college, work, and life. The knowledge and skills needed for high school graduates to be successful in today's technology-driven workplace are no less than the knowledge and skills students need to complete entry-level college coursework, particularly in English and mathematics. A clear target is needed for students, parents, and educators as to the purpose and expectations of today's high school diploma.
     (2) The legislature further finds that some students will take longer to meet the state's standards for high school graduation. Older students who are not on track to graduate with their peers should be provided an appropriate learning environment. The continued education of these students remains the paramount duty of the state of Washington until these students turn twenty-one or achieve a meaningful high school diploma.
     (3) Therefore the legislature intends to redefine the purpose and expectations of the high school diploma and provide extended learning opportunities through college and career readiness centers, funded under the basic education act, for students not on track to graduate from high school with their peers.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 2   (1) The state board of education shall develop and propose a definition of a meaningful high school diploma to be issued by public schools in Washington state. The definition must reflect that high school graduates need to be ready for success in college and ready for successful and gainful employment in the workplace. The definition must incorporate college readiness standards in at least English and mathematics as the minimum standard for high school graduation. The definition must focus on the knowledge, skills, and abilities that students are expected to demonstrate to receive a meaningful high school diploma, rather than focusing on courses, credits, and test scores.
     (2) In developing the definition of a meaningful high school diploma, the state board of education shall consult with educators, parents, institutions of higher education, employers, and community leaders. The board shall also work with the state board for community and technical colleges, the higher education coordinating board, and the work force training and education coordinating board.
     (3) The state board of education shall submit the proposed definition, along with any necessary revisions to state statutes and rules, to the education committees of the legislature by December 1, 2007.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 3   A new section is added to chapter 28A.230 RCW to read as follows:
     (1) For the purposes of this section and section 4 of this act, "eligible student" means a student who is over age sixteen but less than age twenty-one as of September 1st of the academic year the student enrolls in the school district.
     (2) School districts that enroll eligible students shall enter into contracts with one or more community or technical colleges to deliver courses or programs through college and career readiness centers as provided under section 4 of this act to enable the students to obtain a meaningful high school diploma. School districts shall report eligible students who are attending college and career readiness centers as district enrollment.
     (3) An eligible student shall have the option to attend a college or career readiness center or remain enrolled in a high school or other school district program.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 4   A new section is added to chapter 28B.50 RCW to read as follows:
     (1) In accordance with this section, each community or technical college shall make available courses or a program of study designed to enable eligible students over the age of sixteen but under the age of twenty-one to complete their high school education and obtain a meaningful high school diploma.
     (2) Colleges shall enter into contracts with local school districts to deliver the courses or programs under this section at college and career readiness centers operated by the college at locations other than the high school campus. Colleges shall be reimbursed for each enrolled eligible student as provided in the contract.
     (3) Courses or programs at college and career readiness centers shall be available during the day, in the evenings, on weekends, and during the summer months. The college shall attempt to accommodate students who are working while they are attending the programs. The instruction and curriculum offered shall be age-appropriate for the adult learner.
     (4) The high school diploma for an eligible student enrolled in a college and career readiness center shall be issued by the local school district based on the student's completion of all state and local graduation requirements.
     (5) Colleges shall not require eligible students enrolled in a college and career readiness center to pay tuition or services and activities fees, however this waiver of tuition and services and activities fees shall be in effect only for those courses that lead to a high school diploma.

Sec. 5   RCW 28B.15.520 and 1993 sp.s. c 18 s 16 are each amended to read as follows:
     Subject to the limitations of RCW 28B.15.910, the governing boards of the community colleges may:
     (1) Waive all or a portion of tuition fees and services and activities fees for:
     (a) Students ((nineteen)) twenty-one years of age or older who are eligible for resident tuition and fee rates as defined in RCW 28B.15.012 through 28B.15.015 and who enroll in a course of study or program which will enable them to finish their high school education and obtain a high school diploma or certificate; and
     (b) Children of any law enforcement officer or fire fighter who lost his or her life or became totally disabled in the line of duty while employed by any public law enforcement agency or full time or volunteer fire department in this state: PROVIDED, That such persons may receive the waiver only if they begin their course of study at a community college within ten years of their graduation from high school;
     (2) Waive all or a portion of the nonresident tuition fees differential for:
     (a) Nonresident students enrolled in a community college course of study or program which will enable them to finish their high school education and obtain a high school diploma or certificate but who are not eligible for the program offered under section 4 of this act. The waiver shall be in effect only for those courses which lead to a high school diploma or certificate; and
     (b) Up to forty percent of the students enrolled in the regional education program for deaf students, subject to federal funding of such program.

Sec. 6   RCW 28B.15.067 and 2003 c 232 s 4 are each amended to read as follows:
     (1) Tuition fees shall be established under the provisions of this chapter.
     (2) Beginning with the 2003-04 academic year and ending with the 2008-09 academic year, reductions or increases in full-time tuition fees for resident undergraduates shall be as provided in the omnibus appropriations act.
     (3) Beginning with the 2003-04 academic year and ending with the 2008-09 academic year, the governing boards of the state universities, the regional universities, The Evergreen State College, and the state board for community and technical colleges may reduce or increase full-time tuition fees for all students other than resident undergraduates, including summer school students and students in other self-supporting degree programs. Percentage increases in full-time tuition fees may exceed the fiscal growth factor. Reductions or increases may be made for all or portions of an institution's programs, campuses, courses, or students.
     (4) Academic year tuition for full-time students at the state's institutions of higher education beginning with 2009-10, other than summer term, shall be as charged during the 2008-09 academic year unless different rates are adopted by the legislature.
     (5) The tuition fees established under this chapter shall not apply to high school students enrolling in participating institutions of higher education under RCW 28A.600.300 through 28A.600.400.
     (6) The tuition fees established under this chapter shall not apply to eligible students enrolling in a community or technical college under section 4 of this act for the purpose of obtaining a high school diploma.
     (7) For the academic years 2003-04 through 2008-09, the University of Washington shall use an amount equivalent to ten percent of all revenues received as a result of law school tuition increases beginning in academic year 2000-01 through academic year 2008-09 to assist needy low and middle income resident law students.
     (((7))) (8) For the academic years 2003-04 through 2008-09, institutions of higher education shall use an amount equivalent to ten percent of all revenues received as a result of graduate academic school tuition increases beginning in academic year 2003-04 through academic year 2008-09 to assist needy low and middle-income resident graduate academic students.