BILL REQ. #:  H-0251.1 

Read first time 01/14/09.   Referred to Committee on Higher Education.

     AN ACT Relating to creating a higher education coordination board work group to develop a single, coordinated student access portal; and creating a new section.

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

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 1   (1) The higher education coordinating board shall convene a work group to develop a plan to create a single, coordinated, collaboratively supported, one-stop college information web-based portal for students and families planning, preparing, and applying for, as well as those attending, postsecondary education. The purpose of the portal is to provide comprehensive information and applications regarding financial, academic, and career planning, admissions, scholarships, financial aid, as well as any other information and services identified by the work group that would encourage or aid students contemplating their postsecondary education goals.
     (2) The work group shall consist of representatives from the higher education coordinating board, the state board for community and technical colleges, the council of presidents, the workforce training and education coordinating board, the independent colleges of Washington, the office of the superintendent of public instruction, representatives of the public, private, and private vocational colleges in Washington, and others as may be needed.
     (3) The work group shall:
     (a) Investigate similar ongoing efforts in other states including what information and services are typically offered, what agency takes the lead in creating and maintaining the portal, what planning stages and budgets are associated with portals, how portals are marketed to maximize usefulness, and whether the states' efforts are increasing postsecondary participation;
     (b) Focus on a portal that is student-centered and does not presuppose a sophisticated understanding of postsecondary education;
     (c) Identify the resources necessary to build and maintain the portal;
     (d) Develop a plan that builds upon existing infrastructure whenever possible; and
     (e) Identify the metrics that can be used to gauge success.
     (4) The final report of the work group shall:
     (a) Recommend a process and timeline for the creation of the portal;
     (b) Identify costs and savings to students, families, and the state;
     (c) Identify potential issues and roadblocks anticipated in the creation and maintenance of the portal; and
     (d) Propose enabling legislative and administrative solutions.
     (5) The board shall report to the legislature by December 1, 2009.