College in the High School (CHS) programs provide college-level courses in high schools or high school environments to qualified students who are in or are eligible for enrollment in grades 9 through 12. Students who participate in a CHS program are able to earn both high school and postsecondary credit by completing postsecondary level courses with a passing grade. Programs are established in individual agreements between the schools and colleges or universities.

Beginning September 1, 2023, institutions of higher education must provide enrollment and registration in CHS courses at no cost for students in grades 9 through 12 at public high schools. Beginning with the 2023-25 State Omnibus Operating Appropriations Act (Operating Budget), the Legislature must appropriate state funding for CHS courses administered at public secondary schools. State appropriation must be calculated using the total CHS courses administered in the prior academic year, funded at $300 per student up to a maximum rate of:

• $6,000 per CHS course administered by a state university;
• $5,000 per CHS course administered by a regional university or the state college; or
• $3,500 per CHS course administered by a community or technical college. 

Subject to amounts appropriated specifically for this purpose, the Washington Student Achievement Council (WSAC) must select a private, not-for-profit four-year institution of higher education to participate in a pilot program offering college in the high school courses at no cost to students. The pilot program must select an institution whose main campus is located in Yakima county and who serves rural or underserved communities.

WSAC must distribute the funds to the pilot institution at a rate of $300 per student, up to a maximum of $6,000 per college in the high school course administered by the pilot institution.

College in the high school courses must not include content or instruction that would subject the students to religious behavior or conduct.

The pilot institution must report to WSAC data including but not limited to: courses offered, student enrollment disaggregated by demographic, and where courses are taught. WSAC must report to the Legislature on the pilot program by December 1, 2025, and annually thereafter.

The pilot program expires December 31, 2030.

PRO: What we are trying to do is establish a pilot program that would target a school in Yakima county that is serving a very unique community. They are the only school located on a reservation and serve many of the high schools in our area. This will help students in the lower Yakima valley to take college courses and continue their education. Our preference is the prime sponsors original bill that gave students more college in the high school options. If state support becomes available, Heritage University would like the opportunity to renew its CiHS program in several schools. Same for Gonzaga, Whitworth, Pacific Lutheran University, and Seattle University.

PRO: Our College in the High School programs meet the same accreditation and reporting requirements as our other public higher education colleagues. College in the High School programs run by not-for-profit universities are interested in serving more Washingtonians and this bill is an important way to leverage the state's entire higher education ecosystem.