Washington State

House of Representatives

Office of Program Research

BILL

ANALYSIS

Higher Education Committee

HB 2451

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.

Brief Description: Requiring a statewide program to map, track, and improve partnerships between postsecondary education institutions and K-12 schools.

Sponsors: Representatives Stambaugh, Pollet, Haler, Frame, Bergquist, Rossetti, Magendanz, Zeiger, Sells and Santos.

Brief Summary of Bill

  • Requires the Washington Campus Compact to develop a statewide program to map, track, and improve partnerships between identified postsecondary educational institutions and K-12 schools.

  • Appropriates $425,000 to Western Washington University to implement the program.

Hearing Date: 1/19/16

Staff: Trudes Tango (786-7384).

Background:

The Washington Campus Compact (Compact), which is an affiliate of the national Campus Compact, is hosted at Western Washington University (WWU) and is a coalition of more than 30 higher education institutions. Its mission is to advance the public purpose of higher institutions, educate students for civil and social responsibility, and work in partnership to cultivate vital and sustainable communities in the state.

The Compact leverages funds from state, federal, corporate, and private sources to support statewide programs and provide grants to member campuses. One project of the Compact is the Retention Project that was launched in 2006 in order to connect college student mentors with middle and high school students who are at risk of dropping out of school. Over the last few years, the Retention Project engaged over 10,000 college students to serve as mentors to

low-income, at-risk, and first-generation college students and K-12 students. Another project is the College Access Corps that trains college students to act as college access coaches to economically disadvantaged youth.

Summary of Bill:

The Compact must develop a statewide program to map, track, and improve partnerships between identified postsecondary educational institutions and K-12 schools. The program must:

The Compact must submit a report to the Legislature by July 1, 2017, with results and recommendations.

Appropriation: An appropriation of $425,000, or as much as may be necessary, is made for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2017, from general fund state to Western Washington University (WWU).

Fiscal Note: Requested

Effective Date: The bill takes effect 90 days after adjournment of the session in which the bill is passed.