HOUSE BILL REPORT

EHB 2489

BYRepresentatives Rector, Miller, Jacobsen, Hankins, Spanel, Fraser, Wood, Heavey, Jesernig, Dellwo, S. Wilson, Prentice, Wineberry, Jones, Ferguson, H. Myers, Scott, Inslee and Brekke

Establishing the single parents in higher education assistance program.

House Committe on Higher Education

Majority Report:  Do pass as amended.  (13)

      Signed by Representatives Jacobsen, Chair; Spanel, Vice Chair; Van Luven, Ranking Republican Member; Basich, Bennett, Doty, Fraser, Heavey, Jesernig, Miller, Prince, Rector and Wood.

House Staff:Susan Hosch (786-7120)

Rereferred House Committee on Appropriations

Majority Report:  Do pass as amended by Committee on Higher Education.  (26)

      Signed by Representatives Locke, Chair; Grant, Vice Chair, H. Sommers, Vice Chair; Silver, Ranking Republican Member; Youngsman, Assistant Ranking Republican Member; Appelwick, Belcher, Bowman, Braddock, Brekke, Dorn, Doty, Ebersole, Ferguson, Hine, Inslee, McLean, Nealey, Padden, Peery, Rust, Sayan, Spanel, Sprenkle, Wang and Wineberry.

House Staff:      Sherie Story (786-7142)

AS PASSED HOUSE FEBRUARY 12, 1990

BACKGROUND:

In October of 1989, Dr. Beverly Purrington, a nationally recognized expert on single parents in higher education, reported the results of her research to the Higher Education's Subcommittee on Access.  In her presentation, Dr. Purrington described a study commissioned by the Rockefeller Foundation.  The study described programs that help single parents succeed in college.

According to the study, single parents need safe and affordable child care and housing, and enough resources to provide basic health care for their children.  College and university programs that attempt to assist single parents should recognize the primary nature of those needs.

Another crucial need is information.  But, because single parents are time-poor, they need coordinated or consolidated services, preferably at one location.  Finally, single parents need emotional and academic support.  Peer advising seems to be the best way of providing this type of support.

Dr. Purrington recommended that Washington establish a statewide program to assist single parents in higher education.  The program should include a state-wide coordinator to help individual colleges and universities create cost effective programs using existing resources.  The program should also include a research component to track single parents and evaluate program outcomes.  Finally, the program should build on existing programs and establish partnerships among businesses, educational institutions, and social service agencies.

SUMMARY:

The single parents in higher education assistance program is created.  The program will be administered by the Higher Education Coordinating Board, in cooperation with the State Board for Community College Education and institutions of higher education.

As part of the program, the board will produce and distribute a resource guide for single parents in the state's colleges and universities.  The contents of the resource guide are described.

The board will also provide technical assistance to institutions of higher education.  The technical assistance is intended to help the institutions identify ways to help single parents obtain a college education.

By June 30, 1991, each state university, state college, and the community college system, must complete a plan to help single parents obtain a higher education.  By November 15, 1991, the board will report to the governor and the legislature on the results of this planning effort.  The report will include recommendations on ways to help the institutions with implementation of their plans.

For the purposes of this legislation, $44,706 is appropriated to the Higher Education Coordinating Board.

The act will expire on June 30, 1993.

Appropriation:    $44,706 to the Higher Education Coordinating Board.

Fiscal Note:      Available.

House Committee ‑ Testified For:    (Higher Education) Elizabeth Keeler, HOME (Helping Ourselves Means Education); Susan Weller, CRISP (College Residential Initiative for Single Parents); Darby Stewart, HOME program at Eastern Washington University; Chris Jaycox Kyle, Eastern Washington University Women's Center; Georgette Chun, The Evergreen State College; Judy Turpin, Washington Women United; Sandy Wall, State Board for Community College Education; Cedric Page, Higher Education Coordinating Board; Erling Hjortedal, Spokane Falls Community College.

(Appropriations) Representative Shirley Rector; and Judy Turpin, Washington Women United.

House Committee - Testified Against:      (Higher Education) No one.

(Appropriations) No one.

House Committee - Testimony For:    (Higher Education) Many single parents lack objective information on how to gain access to Washington's system of higher education.  As a result, some of those who do enroll in colleges or proprietary schools end up entering inappropriate programs.  Others fail to enroll at all. Single parents need objective information on financial aid, career options, and educational opportunities.  They also need to have institutions of higher education become aware of their needs, especially in the areas of childcare, dependable resources, time management, and financial aid.

(Appropriations) Same as in Higher Education Committee.

House Committee - Testimony Against:      (Higher Education) None.

(Appropriations) None.