SENATE BILL REPORT

SHB 138

BYHouse Committee on Ways & Means (originally sponsored by Representatives Ebersole, Betrozoff, Grimm, Rasmussen, R. King, P. King, Rayburn, L. Smith, Grant, Wang and Miller; by request of Commission for Vocational Education)

Permitting a two-year tuition waiver under the Washington award for vocational excellence.

House Committe on Education

Senate Committee on Education

Senate Hearing Date(s):March 25, 1987; March 30, 1987

Majority Report:  Do pass.

      Signed by Senators Gaspard, Chairman; Bauer, Vice Chairman; Rinehart, Vice Chairman; Bailey, Craswell, Patterson, Saling.

Senate Staff:Don Bennett (786-7424)

                  March 31, 1987

AS REPORTED BY COMMITTEE ON EDUCATION, MARCH 30, 1987

BACKGROUND:

The Legislature established the Washington Award for Vocational Excellence (WAVE) in 1984 to recognize outstanding performance in occupational training programs.  Up to three graduating vocational or technical students from each legislative district are honored each year.  Award recipients are entitled to a one-year tuition and fee waiver at any of the state universities, regional universities, The Evergreen State College, the community colleges, or public vocational-technical institutes.

The Commission for Vocational Education administers the award program in cooperation with other public education organizations and business and labor groups.  Nominations for the award are made by local schools and their vocational advisory committees. The state WAVE committee, composed of representatives of business, labor, vocational educators, school board members, community college trustees, and school administrators, selects the award recipients.  In the first two years of the program, 268 students have received the Washington Award for Vocational Excellence.

SUMMARY:

Award recipients are entitled to a waiver of tuition and fees for two years, up to six quarters or four semesters, at the state universities, regional universities, The Evergreen State College, and the community colleges.  WAVE honorees must maintain a 3.0 grade point average, or the equivalent, for the first year in order to qualify for the second year of the waiver.  The tuition waiver is for undergraduate studies only.

The award recipient may have fees waived at a public vocational-technical institute for two years.  The student must receive an above average rating in the first year to qualify for the second-year waiver.

Students receiving awards in 1987 and thereafter will be entitled to two-year waivers.  In 1988, students who have completed one year of a vocational-technical program at a community college or vocational-technical institute will be eligible for consideration but at least two of the three award recipients from each legislative district should be graduating high school students.

Fiscal Note:      available

Effective Date:January 1, 1988

Senate Committee - Testified: No one