SENATE BILL REPORT

EHB 2626

BYRepresentatives Wang, Betrozoff, Peery, Walker, Holland, G. Fisher, Ebersole, Rasmussen, Phillips, Horn, Pruitt, Dorn, Valle, Jones, K. Wilson, Cole, P. King, Brumsickle, Winsley, Rector, Ferguson, Nealey, Fraser, D. Sommers, Moyer and Spanel

Giving high school credit for high school courses taken in the seventh and eighth grades.

House Committe on Education

Senate Committee on Education

Senate Hearing Date(s):February 19, 1990; February 20, 1990

Majority Report:  Do pass as amended.

      Signed by Senators Bailey, Chairman; Lee, Vice Chairman; Anderson, Bender, Benitz, Craswell, Fleming, Gaspard, Metcalf, Murray, Rinehart.

Senate Staff:Susan Mosborg (786-7439)

                  February 21, 1990

AS REPORTED BY COMMITTEE ON EDUCATION, FEBRUARY 20, 1990

BACKGROUND:

Under a State Board of Education rule, no high school credit may be granted for any course taken prior to admission to high school as a ninth grade student.  However, local school boards may grant high school credit based on competency testing, in lieu of a student taking a specific course.  In 1988, the House and Senate Education Committees asked the State Board of Education to clarify whether, under these rules, a student may be awarded high school credit for high school courses taken while the student was enrolled in grades seven and eight.  The board replied that credit may be awarded at the discretion of the local school board, on the grounds that the final exam of the course may satisfy the competency testing requirement for the purpose of high school credit.  It is thought no school districts in the state currently grant high school credit for high school courses taken by students in grades seven and eight.

SUMMARY:

Upon student and family request, high school credit must be granted to a student who:  (1) has successfully completed a high school course at the high school, with high school students, while in grades seven and eight; and (2) has successfully passed the course by completing the same requirements and examinations as the high school students.

The credit must be reported on the student's transcript and must be applied toward fulfilling high school graduation requirements.

To receive this credit, the student shall not be required to complete any additional assignments or pass a competency test.

Students who are currently in high school and took courses while they were in seventh and eighth grade may count them at this time.

Appropriation:    none

Revenue:    none

Fiscal Note:      none requested

Effective Date:The bill contains an emergency clause and takes effect immediately.

SUMMARY OF PROPOSED SENATE AMENDMENTS:

Students in the 11th or 12th grades may take courses offered by public community colleges.  Students who are eligible to be in the 11th or 12th grade but who have not received a high school diploma are also eligible to participate.  The student may take the course for high school credit.  A student may not take more than the equivalent of two academic years of course work. 

The community colleges may accept the students on a space available basis.  A student enrolling in a community college for high school credit is not counted for the purpose of determining any enrollment restrictions imposed on community colleges by the state.

If the student enrolls for high school credit, the school district reimburses the community college from state funds received by the district.  The reimbursement is proportional to the time spent at the community college.  The funds received by the community college from the school district may be retained by the community college.  The school district superintendent determines the high school course equivalencies when necessary.  An institution of higher education may award postsecondary credit, without charging tuition, for courses successfully completed for high school credit at a community college.

Transportation to and from the community college is not the responsibility of the school district.

The Superintendent of Public Instruction, the State Board for Community College Education, and the Higher Education Coordinating Board may adopt rules for the postsecondary enrollment program if necessary.  The program may be implemented by three community college districts and three school districts in the 1990-91 school year and throughout the state thereafter.

Senate Committee - Testified: Representative Wang, prime sponsor; Katie McDonald, student, Jason Lee Middle School; Jeannine Masumoto, Keith Romer, Kim Chan, students, Capital High School; Jessica Wiskus, student, Jefferson Middle School; Jean Taylor, Dolores Mitchell, Patrons, Capital High School; Paula Fascilla, Tacoma Public Schools