BILL REQ. #:  H-0956.1 

Read first time 01/25/11.   Referred to Committee on Higher Education.

     AN ACT Relating to academic credit for prior learning; and adding a new section to chapter 28B.50 RCW.

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

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 1   A new section is added to chapter 28B.50 RCW to read as follows:
     (1) The college board, the higher education coordinating board, the council of presidents, the four-year institutions of higher education, the private independent higher education institutions, and the private career schools shall collaborate to carry out the following goals:
     (a) Increase the number of students who receive academic credit for prior learning and the number of students who receive credit for prior learning that counts towards their major or towards earning their degree, certificate, or credential;
     (b) Increase the number and type of academic credits accepted for prior learning in institutions of higher education;
     (c) Develop transparent policies and practices in awarding academic credit for prior learning;
     (d) Improve consistency in prior learning assessment practices across the institutions of higher education;
     (e) Create tools to develop faculty and staff knowledge and expertise in awarding credit for prior learning and to share exemplary policies and practices among institutions of higher education;
     (f) Develop articulation agreements when patterns of credit for prior learning are identified for particular programs and pathways; and
     (g) Develop outcome measures to track progress on the goals outlined in this section.
     (2) The college board shall convene the academic credit for prior learning work group.
     (a) The work group must include the following members in addition to representation from the college board:
     (i) The higher education coordinating board;
     (ii) The workforce training and education coordinating board;
     (iii) The council of presidents;
     (iv) Representatives from Washington institutions of higher education;
     (v) Representatives from faculty of two and four-year institutions of higher education;
     (vi) Representatives from private career schools; and
     (vii) Representatives from business and labor.
     (b) The purpose of the work group is to coordinate and implement the goals in subsection (1) of this section.
     (3) The college board shall report progress on the goals and outcome measures annually by December 31st. All entities listed in subsection (2)(a) of this section shall collaborate with the college board to provide information for tracking purposes.
     (4) The office of financial management shall work with the college board, the higher education coordinating board, and the four-year institutions of higher education to track the number of students receiving academic credit for prior learning and the type of credit awarded at institutions of higher education. This information shall be included among the outcomes tracked in RCW 43.41.400(2)(f) beginning in 2013.
     (5) For the purposes of this section, "prior learning" means the knowledge and skills gained through work and life experience; through military training and experience; and through formal and informal education and training from in-state and out-of-state institutions including foreign institutions.