SENATE BILL REPORT

SB 6161

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, January 26, 2016

Title: An act relating to including certain residents who do not have a high school diploma or credential and the number of students expected to enroll in basic education for adults courses at community and technical colleges in caseload forecast council forecasting.

Brief Description: Including certain residents who do not have a high school diploma or credential and the number of students expected to enroll in basic education for adults courses at community and technical colleges in caseload forecast council forecasting.

Sponsors: Senators Bailey, Frockt, Conway, McAuliffe and Hasegawa; by request of State Board for Community and Technical Colleges.

Committee Activity: Higher Education: 1/21/16, 1/26/16 [DPS-WM].

Brief Summary of Substitute Bill

SENATE COMMITTEE ON HIGHER EDUCATION

Majority Report: That Substitute Senate Bill No. 6161 be substituted therefor, and the substitute bill do pass and be referred to Committee on Ways & Means.

Signed by Senators Bailey, Chair; Baumgartner, Vice Chair; Frockt, Ranking Member; Becker, Carlyle, Liias and Miloscia.

Staff: Clint McCarthy (786-7319)

Background: In 2014, the Legislature declared that the statewide educational attainment goals required to meet the societal and economic needs of the future are as follows:

all adults in Washington, ages 25-44, will have a high school diploma or equivalent; and
at least 70 percent of Washington adults, ages 25-44, will have a postsecondary credential.

The Caseload Forecast Council (Forecast Council) is in charge of overseeing the preparation and approval of the official state caseload forecasts. Under RCW 43.88C.010, the only official statewide forecast that the Caseload Forecast council conducts related to higher education is the number of students eligible for the College Bound Scholarship who are expected to attend an institution of higher learning.

Summary of Bill: The bill as referred to committee not considered.

Summary of Bill (Recommended Substitute): The Forecast Council is required to forecast the number of state residents ages 25-44 who do not have a high school diploma or credential, and the number of students expected to enroll in basic education for adults courses at community and technical colleges.

EFFECT OF CHANGES MADE BY HIGHER EDUCATION COMMITTEE (Recommended Substitute): The substitute bill removes the intent section, and directs the State Board of Community and Technical Colleges and the Education Data Center to provide data and data analysis expertise to the Caseload Forecast Council.

Appropriation: None.

Fiscal Note: Available.

Committee/Commission/Task Force Created: No.

Effective Date: Ninety days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.

Staff Summary of Public Testimony on Recommended Substitute: PRO: The fiscal note is a surprise to the State Board of Community and Technical Colleges. They believe that the substitute heard in committee would have reduced the cost by providing data and data analysis for the Caseload Forecast Council.

Knowing how many adults in WA that require basic education would provide the state and the legislature with what level of programs are necessary for providing basic education all Washington adults who lack credentials. This information would help provide information to provide the appropriate level of access. Approximately 700,000 adults in WA lack basic skills to match with employers in WA. Many out of school youth also lack the skills to attain a living wage job. By 2030 WA’s workforce need for trained professionals will increase by 60 percent. Over the next 20 years, there wont be enough high school graduates to fill the spots in higher education. This bill would truly provide the data needed to increase student access and meet the needs of the 21st century workforce.

The adult basic education mission is an extremely important mission for CTCs. About 49 percent of WA’s population age 25-44 does not have advanced education. About 10 percent don’t have a high school diploma. If we want to meet our state attainment goals, adult basic education is absolutely essential

Persons Testifying: PRO: Jon Kerr, SBCTC; Arlen Harris, SBCTC; Maddy Thompson, Washington Student Achievement Council.

Persons Signed In To Testify But Not Testifying: No one.