COMMITTEE ON HIGHER EDUCATION

Rep. Don Carlson, Republican Co-Chair and

 Rep. Phyllis Kenney, Democratic Co-Chair

BILL ANALYSIS C HB 1788

Brief Description: Waiving tuition and fees for public school teachers working toward a continuing or professional certificate.

Background:

Through approximately 25 different programs, the institutions of higher education may waive some or all of a student=s tuition and fees.  There is a statutory limit on the percent of operating fee revenue that each baccalaureate institution and the community college system as a whole may waive.  The waiver limits by institution are: 21 percent at the University of Washington; 20 percent at Washington State University; 11 percent at Eastern Washington University; 8 percent at Central Washington University; 10 percent at Western Washington University; 6 percent at The Evergreen State College; and 35 percent for the Community Colleges as a whole.  The tuition rates set by the Legislature and the limits on how much of the revenue generated by those rates can be waived, also set by the Legislature, only apply to courses supported with state funding.  They do not apply to self-sustaining courses.

Candidates applying for a continuing teaching certificate must have: (a)  at least 45 quarter hours (30 semester hours) of upper division and/or graduate work completed from a regionally accredited institution of higher education subsequent to earning a bachelor=s degree; (b) at least two subject area endorsement; and (c) a minimum of 10 clock hours of coursework in issues of abuse.

Summary of bill:

Washington=s public colleges and universities are required to waive tuition and fees for public school teachers that are working toward, but have not yet received a continuing or professional certificate from the state board of education.  Credits from any course for which a waiver is requested must meet the board=s academic requirements for a continuing or professional certificate.  The amount of tuition revenue waived by each institution for these students, when they are enrolled in state-funded courses, must be within that institution=s statutory waiver limit.

Prepared for the House Higher Education Committee

by Sherie Story, Research Analyst (786-7120)

Office of Program Research

February 18, 1999