1580-S AAS 4/9/93 S2905.1

SHB 1580 - S COMM AMD

By Committee on Higher Education

                                                    ADOPTED 4/9/93

    Strike everything after the enacting clause and insert the following:

    "NEW SECTION. Sec. 1.  The legislature finds that, in public colleges and universities, improvement is needed in graduation rates and in the length of time required for students to attain their educational objectives.  The legislature also finds that public colleges and universities should offer classes in a way that will permit full-time students to complete a degree or certificate program in about the amount of time described in the institution's catalog as necessary to complete that degree or certificate program.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 2.  (1) By May 15, 1994, each state institution of higher education, as part of its strategic plan, shall adopt strategies designed to shorten the time required for students to complete a degree or certificate and to improve the graduation rate for all students.

    (2) Beginning with the fall 1995-96 academic term, each institution of higher education as defined in RCW 28B.10.016 shall implement the strategies described in subsection (1) of this section.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 3.  (1) By May 30, 1994, each public four-year institution of higher education shall forward to the higher education coordinating board for its review and comment, certain preliminary components of the institution's strategic plan.  The components shall include strategies to improve student graduation rates and shorten the time needed for students to obtain a baccalaureate degree.

    (2) By September 30, 1994, the state board for community and technical colleges will forward to the higher education coordinating board for its review and comment, a report on the strategies adopted by community and technical colleges to speed the progress of students towards their educational goals and to shorten the time needed for students to obtain a degree or certificate.

    (3) By December 15, 1994, the higher education coordinating board shall report to the governor and the higher education committees of the house of representatives and senate on its review of strategies designed to improve graduation rates and shorten the time needed for students to obtain a degree or certificate.  The report shall include an analysis of system-wide strategies and recommendations for any legislation necessary to assist institutions with the implementation of their plans.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 4.  Each institution of higher education as defined in RCW 28B.10.016 may enter into a student progression understanding with an interested student.  The terms of the understanding shall permit a student to obtain a degree or certificate within the standard period of time assumed for a full-time student pursuing that degree or certificate.  Usually, the standard amount of time will be about two years for an associate of arts degree and about four years for a baccalaureate degree.  Student progression understandings shall not give rise to any cause of action on behalf of any student as a result of the failure of any state institution of higher education to fulfill its obligations under the student progression understanding.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 5.  Sections 1 through 4 of this act are each added to chapter 28B.10 RCW."

SHB 1580 - S COMM AMD

By Committee on Higher Education

                                                    ADOPTED 4/9/93

    On page 1, line 1 of the title, after "education;" strike the remainder of the title and insert "and adding new sections to chapter 28B.10 RCW."

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