Background: A variety of education programs allow high school students to earn post-secondary course credit while also earning credit toward high school graduation including Running Start, Running Start for the Trades, College in the High School, Tech Prep, Advanced Placement, and International Baccalaureates. Students who participate in these dual credit programs have the opportunity to graduate from high school with all or a portion of college course work already completed, as well as enhance their chances of entry into a chosen trade or profession.

Summary of Bill: By September 1, 2010, and annually thereafter, the Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI), in collaboration with the State Board for Community and Technical Colleges (SBCTC), the Workforce Training and Education Coordinating Board, the Apprenticeship Council, the Higher Education Coordinating Board (HECB), and the public baccalaureate institutions must report to the Legislature regarding student participation rates and academic performance in dual credit programs; the total unduplicated head count of students enrolled in at least one dual credit program; and the percentage of students who enrolled in at least one dual credit program as a percent of all students enrolled in grades 9 through 12. The OSPI and the HECB must develop advising guidelines to assure that students and parents understand that college credits earned in high school dual credit programs may impact eligibility for financial aid.

The OSPI, SBCTC, HECB, and the public baccalaureate institutions must jointly develop, and each adopt, rules governing College in the High School. These rules must be written to encourage the maximum use of the program and may not narrow or limit enrollment options. College in the High School programs must be governed by a local contract between a school district and an institution of higher education. Requirements for the program are specified.

It is clarified that Running Start statutes are not found just at community and technical colleges but also may be offered by a public tribal college located in Washington that meets accreditation requirements and some of the four-year public institutions.

Running Start students may be charged mandatory fees as established by each institution, with the fees prorated based upon credit load. Institutions of higher education must make fee waivers available for low-income students. A Running Start student is eligible for a fee waiver upon proof that the student is currently qualified to receive free or reduced-price lunch. Students enrolled in Running Start are counted for the purpose of meeting enrollment targets imposed by the state on the institution of higher education but are not to be counted for purposes of higher education funding. Running Start students must not displace any students currently enrolled. The SBCTC must develop long-term funding proposals for Running Start and reporting recommendations to the Legislature by December 1, 2010.