BILL REQ. #:  S-1071.1 

Read first time 02/02/09.   Referred to Committee on Early Learning & K-12 Education.

     AN ACT Relating to providing a financial incentive to school districts for high school students who complete postsecondary credits; and adding a new section to chapter 28A.150 RCW.

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

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 1   A new section is added to chapter 28A.150 RCW to read as follows:
     (1) It is the legislature's intent to encourage high schools and high school students to maximize available learning opportunities that reduce the overall time and taxpayer support for a student to complete a postsecondary degree.
     (2) A school district shall receive an allocation under subsection (3) of this section for each student who: (a) Graduates with a high school diploma from the district; and (b) at the time of graduation, has accumulated postsecondary credits through participation in running start, advanced placement, tech-prep, skills centers, college in the high school, international baccalaureate, or any other program that provides high school students with the opportunity to earn college credit.
     (3) Subject to legislative appropriation, the superintendent of public instruction shall allocate to school districts, for each student who meets the criteria in subsection (2) of this section, an amount equal to the statewide annual average allocation for a full-time equivalent high school student under RCW 28A.150.260, excluding small high school enhancements. The allocation rate shall be the equivalent of one school year of funding for every two academic years of postsecondary course credits accumulated by the student. For students who accumulate fewer than two academic years of course credits, the superintendent shall allocate a pro rata share of the full allocation. The superintendent shall make the allocation in the school year following the student's graduation from high school based on the prior school year's statewide annual average allocation amount.
     (4) The superintendent of public instruction may adopt rules under chapter 34.05 RCW to implement this section.