SENATE BILL REPORT
SHB 2580
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 Senate Committee On:
Higher Education & Workforce Development, February 23, 2010
Title: An act relating to secondary career and technical courses.
Brief Description: Concerning secondary career and technical education courses.
Sponsors: House Committee on Education (originally sponsored by Representatives Liias, Simpson and Sullivan).
Brief History: Passed House: 2/13/10, 94-0.
Committee Activity: Higher Education & Workforce Development: 2/23/10 [DP].
SENATE COMMITTEE ON HIGHER EDUCATION & WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT |
Majority Report: Do pass.
Signed by Senators Kilmer, Chair; Kastama, Vice Chair; Becker, Ranking Minority Member; Hewitt, Jacobsen, McAuliffe, Pflug, Shin, Stevens and Tom.
Staff: Aldo Melchiori (786-7439)
Background: One of the provisions of comprehensive career and technical education (CTE) legislation enacted in 2008 directed the community and technical colleges to create agreements with high schools and skill centers to offer college credit for secondary CTE courses, with agreements subject to approval by the Chief Instructional Officer of the college, the principal, and the CTE director of the high school or skill center. The legislation also required that, if a community or technical college created a dual credit agreement with a high school or skill center, then all community and technical colleges must accept that course for an equal amount of college credit. Some colleges may offer to grant the credit, but only after charging the student a fee.
Summary of Bill: Dual credit agreements between high schools or skill centers and community or technical colleges must be approved by, rather than subject to the approval of, the Chief Instructional Officer of the college and the CTE director of the high school or skill center. A community or technical college may not charge a student more than a standard transcription fee when asked to grant college credit for a secondary CTE course where another college has agreed to offer such credit.
Appropriation: None.
Fiscal Note: Not requested.
Committee/Commission/Task Force Created: No.
Effective Date: Ninety days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.
Staff Summary of Public Testimony: PRO: This bill will help students save money when they transfer credits. It creates uniformity in dual credit programs.
Persons Testifying: PRO: Pat Ward, SBCTC; Tim Knue, Washington Association for Career and Technical Colleges.