HOUSE BILL REPORT

                  HB 2029

             As Reported By House Committee On:

                          Education

Title:  An act relating to high school students enrolled in the running start program in community or technical colleges.

Brief Description:  Changing funding procedures for high school students enrolled in the running start program in community or technical colleges.

Sponsors:  Representatives Dorn, Brough, Holm, Zellinsky and Rayburn; by request of Superintendent of Public Instruction.

Brief History:

  Reported by House Committee on:

Education, March 2, 1993, DP.

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON EDUCATION

Majority Report:  Do pass.  Signed by 19 members:  Representatives Dorn, Chair; Cothern, Vice Chair; Brough, Ranking Minority Member; Thomas, Assistant Ranking Minority Member; Brumsickle; Carlson; G. Cole; Eide; G. Fisher; Hansen; Holm; Jones; Karahalios; J. Kohl; Patterson; Pruitt; Roland; Stevens; and Vance.

Staff:  Robert Butts (786-7111).

Background:  The Running Start program was created in 1990 when the Legislature adopted educational "Choice" legislation.  The program allows high school juniors and seniors to attend classes at community and technical colleges, with their tuition and fees being paid from state basic education allocations that go to the student's school district.

The amount transmitted to community colleges is based on the number of college classes the student takes and the specific basic education appropriation for the student's school district.

Because of the small school factor, staff mix, and other elements of the basic education formula, the amount paid to the college for a class can vary significantly from school district to school district.  This has created bookkeeping and other problems.

Summary of Bill:  The formula for determining the amount that school districts must pay to community and technical colleges for the Running Start program is changed.  Instead of the payment being tied directly to the amount of the school district's basic education allocation, the Superintendent of Public Instruction (SPI) is directed to establish a fee schedule after consultation with the State Board for Community and Technical Colleges.

Fiscal Note:  Requested February 23, 1993.

Effective Date:  Ninety days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.

Testimony For:  The current system for determining the per credit fee for Running Start students is very time consuming and difficult.  This proposed change will make it much, much easier.

Testimony Against:  None.

Witnesses:  Ken Kanikeberg, Superintendent of Public Instruction; Ron Crossland, State Board for Community and Technical Colleges; Tana Hasart, Pierce College; Jim Sorensen, Skagit Valley College; Vee Sutherlin, Community Colleges of Spokane; and Ken Minnaert, South Puget Sound Community College.