HB 1885

HOUSE BILL REPORT
HB 1885

This analysis was prepared by non-partisan legislative staff for the use of legislative members in their deliberations. This analysis is not a part of the legislation nor does it constitute a statement of legislative intent.

As Reported by House Committee On:
Higher Education

Brief Description: Expanding the applied baccalaureate degree pilot program.

Sponsors: Representatives Goodman, Springer, Rodne, Jarrett, Eddy, Ericks, Hunter, O'Brien, Dunshee, Lovick, Anderson, Hasegawa, Miloscia, Kessler, Ormsby and Kenney.

Majority Report: The substitute bill be substituted therefor and the substitute bill do pass. Signed by 8 members: Representatives Wallace, Chair; Sells, Vice Chair; Anderson, Ranking Minority Member; Buri, Assistant Ranking Minority Member; Hasegawa, Jarrett, McIntire and Roberts.

Background:

In 2005, the Legislature authorized the State Board for Community and Technical Colleges (SBCTC) to select four applied baccalaureate degree pilot programs at community or technical colleges. Six colleges submitted proposals. Bellevue Community College, Olympic College, Peninsula College, and South Seattle Community College were selected as the sites for the pilot projects. Colleges began planning and program development in 2006. Upper division students will begin enrolling in the programs in the fall of 2007.

The SBCTC selected the participating institutions based upon: their capacity to commit resources; their ability to engage faculty to develop and deliver the curriculum; the demand for the programs in their service area; the cost-effectiveness for students; and whether the program filled a gap in options offered by a public four-year institution in the geographic area.

Summary of Substitute Bill:

By February 2008, the SBCTC will select up to two colleges to develop and offer applied baccalaureate degree programs. At least one selected college must be a technical college. The SBCTC will use the same criteria as used in the initial applied baccalaureate degree pilot program. Selected colleges may enroll students in upper division courses beginning fall quarter of 2009.

Substitute Bill Compared to Original Bill:

The requirement that only technical colleges can be selected for the pilot is changed so that one of the two colleges selected must be a technical college.

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

Staff Summary of Public Testimony:

(In support) This bill authorizes two more applied baccalaureate degree programs. The four pilots have all mounted high quality programs that were approved by the Higher Education Coordinating Board and approved for candidacy by the accreditation body. Second year funding is needed for the existing programs, and planning money is important for any new pilots. There is support for the amendment in the Senate to offer one program at a technical college, with the other at a community college.

This is an amazing way to create a more diverse educational environment for "anchoring professions." It provides what students need and want, is economical, and meets industry needs. Lake Washington Technical College has the capacity and interest in offering the program. This bill is good public policy and good legislation for a number of reasons. Technical colleges provide one-third of all workforce graduates. This will open doors to under-served students, and do it in a cost-effective way by using existing buildings. Every quarter some technical college students want to further their education, but it is very hard to find a program where they won't have to start from scratch. This will do that for them.

(Opposed) None.

Persons Testifying: Representative Goodman, prime sponsor; Jan Yoshiwara, State Board for Community and Technical Colleges; Ben Taves, American Federation of Teachers and Lake Washington Community College; Mike Metke, Lake Washington Technical College; and Jeffrey Possinger, City of Duvall.