HOUSE BILL ANALYSIS

                  HB 1977

Title:  An act relating to high school students' options.

Brief Description:  Allowing arrangements for running start students to attend out‑of‑state community colleges.

Sponsors:  Representatives Honeyford, Boldt and Dunn.

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON EDUCATION

Meeting Date:  February 28, 1997.

Bill Analysis Prepared by:  Bronwyn Mauldin (786-7093)

Background:  The Running Start program allows 11^th and 12^th grade students to take classes at participating institutions of higher education.  Students earn both high school and college credit for these courses.  Running Start students may take courses part-time or full-time at the institution of higher learning.  Since the first pilot program began in 1990, enrollment in Running Start has grown to just over 7,400 students in the 1994-95 school year.

School districts must pay the institutions of higher learning that enroll its Running Start students.  The Superintendent of Public Instruction allocates basic education funds to school districts for this purpose.

The Interlocal Cooperation Act allows any public agency in Washington to enter into agreements with public agencies in other states.

Summary of Bill:  School districts in Washington and community colleges in other states may enter into cooperative agreements for the purpose of allowing 11^th and 12^th grade students in Washington school districts to earn high school and college credit concurrently.  Such cooperative agreements are subject to the Interlocal Cooperation Act.

Fiscal Note:  Not requested.

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