COMMITTEE ON HIGHER EDUCATION

 Rep. Phyllis Kenney, Democratic Co-Chair and

Rep. Don Carlson, Republican Co-Chair

BILL ANALYSIS

HB 2375

Brief Description: Addressing information technology literacy at baccalaureate institutions of higher education.

Background:  In 1986, Washington first began to focus on accountability in higher education with Higher Education Coordinating Board (HEC Board) master plan.  The 1997-99 Budget established performance goals and targets for the institutions of higher education, which were tied to the baccalaureate=s non-instructional funding.  The performance goals included an undergraduate graduation efficiency index, an undergraduate student retention rate, a five-year graduation rate, and faculty productivity measures.  The 1999-2001 Budget required the baccalaureate institutions to continue to report progress on the performance goals, but did not have any funds tied to the performance.  The Budget also authorized the State Board for Technical and Community Colleges (SBCTC) to adopt mission-based accountability measures.

In 1999, accountability forums were co-sponsored by the HEC Board, the SBCTC and the Council of Presidents.  In 1999, the baccalaureate institutions began to examine performance measures that would represent the Avalue-added@ of a higher education.  The focus was writing, critical thinking, information and technology literacy, and quantitative and symbolic reasoning.

Summary: The bill directs the baccalaureate institutions and the HEC Board to develop a plan to make students information and technology literate.  This includes developing a definition, standards, and a financial assessment of implementation.  If the Legislature determines that implementation is feasible, a pilot program will be used during the 2003-2004 academic year.  If the pilot program is successful, system-wide implementation will begin in the 2004-2005 academic year.  The bill also requires the baccalaureate institutions and the HEC Board to deliver annual progress reports to the Legislature.

Appropriation: None.

Fiscal Note: Not requested.

Effective Date: Ninety days after adjournment in the session the bill passed. 

Prepared for the House Higher Education Committee

by Tracey Taylor, Counsel (786-7196)

Office of Program Research

January 25, 2000