HOUSE BILL REPORT

HB 2490

BYRepresentatives Rector, Miller, Jacobsen, Prince, Jesernig, S. Wilson, Scott, Hargrove, Prentice, Wood, Wineberry, Jones, Dellwo, Ferguson and Brekke

Establishing a pilot program to help single parents obtain a higher education.

House Committe on Higher Education

Majority Report:  Do pass.  (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)

AS REPORTED BY COMMITTEE ON HIGHER EDUCATION JANUARY 24, 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 Higher Education Coordinating Board will administer a pilot program designed to help single parents obtain a higher education.  The board will appoint an advisory committee to help design the program and select projects to be funded.  Through a competitive process, the board will then select pilot projects, and later disseminate their results to colleges and universities. Public and independent institutions are eligible to participate in the program.

Pilot projects will be selected based on criteria and priorities outlined in the legislation.  The criteria emphasize collaborative efforts that help single parents to meet a variety of unmet needs.  The criteria also emphasize outreach, resource and referral services, and research components that include tracking student progress and outcomes. Priority will be given to innovative collaborative projects that meet the most unmet needs.

The act expires on June 30, 1995.

The Higher Education Coordinating Board will receive an undefined appropriation.

Fiscal Note:      Requested January 16, 1990.

House Committee ‑ Testified For:    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.

House Committee - Testified Against:      No one.

House Committee - Testimony For:    Many single parents lack objective information on how to access 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 sensitized to their needs, especially in the areas of childcare, dependable resources, time management, and financial aid.  Some single parents also need to have housing and childcare close to campus. It would be ideal if state and local agencies and organizations would begin working in collaboration to meet the needs of this expanding population.

House Committee - Testimony Against:      None.