FINAL BILL REPORT

                 SHB 2274

                         C 222 L 94

                     Synopsis as Enacted

Brief Description:  Establishing credit equivalencies for high school students attending institutions of higher education.

By House Committee on Education (originally sponsored by Representatives Quall, Carlson, R. Meyers, Brough, Basich, Karahalios, Peery, Kessler, Eide, L. Johnson, Linville, Shin, Hansen, Talcott, Long, Van Luven, Cooke, Veloria, Scott, Johanson, Finkbeiner, Dunshee, Schoesler, Mastin, Pruitt, Wineberry, King, Conway, Kremen, Springer and H. Myers).

House Committee on Education

Senate Committee on Higher Education

Background: The Legislature has instructed the state Board of Education (SBE) to establish minimum high school graduation requirements or equivalencies.  In response to this directive, the board adopted a definition of high school credits in 1984.  The definition was modified in November 1993.

Prior to the change in November 1993, five college quarter hour credits equaled a high school credit, which is equal to a 180-day high school class.  The new rule states that five college quarter hours equal .75 of a high school credit. 

Under the new rule, a high school student who attends college full-time will earn 6.75 high school credits annually, compared to nine high school credits prior to the rule change.  A regularly enrolled high school student earns six high school credits annually.

Summary:  The SBE agrees to delay implementation of its rule establishing course equivalencies until September 1995.

By May 1, 1994, the Higher Education Coordinating Board (HECB) and the SBE will convene a task force for ongoing discussions of curriculum issues that transect higher education and the common schools.  The task force is to provide the boards with advice and counsel on rules and policies that have implications for students in both levels.

By December 30, 1994, the HECB and the SBE are to report  their recommendations on credit equivalencies to the House and Senate Education and Higher Education Committees.

Votes on Final Passage:

House  81 13

Senate 45 0 (Senate amended)

House  80 9 (House concurred)

Effective Date:  April 1, 1994