HOUSE BILL REPORT

SB 5615

BYSenators Bailey, Rinehart, Pullen and Saling

Changing provisions relating to early entrance programs at the University of Washington.

House Committe on Higher Education

Majority Report:  Do pass.  (14)

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

House Staff:Susan Hosch (786-7120)

AS REPORTED BY COMMITTEE ON HIGHER EDUCATION MARCH 29, 1989

BACKGROUND:

The University of Washington has a special program for academically gifted high school age students.  The Early Entrance Program (EEP) is administered by the University's Center for the Study of Capable Youth.  Students under 15 years of age who have outstanding school achievement records and who score in the very top ranges of standardized ability and achievement tests may be admitted into the program if their educational needs are not being met by the schools available to them.

Students admitted to the program first attend a year long transition school which provides intensive coverage of advanced high school material, an opportunity to take a limited number of university courses, and counseling on ways to successfully transition to life at the university.  Enrollment in the transition school is typically limited to 15 students.  After successfully completing the transition school, students attend regular university classes as Early Entrance Program participants.  These EEP students may continue to receive counseling and support services from the center.

Current law permits school districts to contract with the University of Washington for the education of academically highly capable high school students attending the University's early entrance program or transition school.  The districts may allocate all or a portion of the state basic education allocation moneys, state categorical moneys, and federal moneys generated by students while they attend the University's transition school or early entrance program.  The moneys may be expended for instruction and related activities necessary for the students to fulfill high school graduation requirements.

SUMMARY:

The Superintendent of Public Instruction (SPI) will contract with the University of Washington for the education of highly capable students, below 18 years of age, who are admitted or enrolled in the University's Early Entrance Program or transition schools.  The SPI will allocate to the University state basic education allocation funds, state categorical moneys, and federal funds generated by these students.  The allocations will be based on each student's school district of residence.  Categorical funds provided for the Highly Capable Student Program will not be included in the allocation.

The expenditure of these funds is limited to student selection, precollege instruction, special advising, and related activities necessary for the support of students while attending a transition school or early entrance program at the University of Washington.  The allocations may be supplemented with additional payments from other sources if needed to cover the full costs of the program.

The allocations continue for the first three years that a student attends an early entrance program or transition school at the University, or through the academic year in which the student turns 18 years of age, whichever occurs first.

The University must not admit and enroll more than 30 students in the transition school in any year.

The SPI is directed to adopt or amend rules implementing these requirements before August 31, 1989.

Fiscal Note:      Available.

House Committee ‑ Testified For:    None Presented.

House Committee - Testified Against:      None Presented.

House Committee - Testimony For:    None Presented.

House Committee - Testimony Against:      None Presented.