HOUSE BILL REPORT

HB 2438

As Passed House:

February 11, 2002

Title:  An act relating to the participation in the running start program by institutions of higher education.

Brief Description:  Expanding the running start program to allow participation by The Evergreen State College.

Sponsors:  By Representatives Kenney, Cox, Lantz, Jarrett, Quall, Haigh, Chase, Jackley, Darneille, Ogden and McIntire; by request of The Evergreen State College.

Brief History:

Committee Activity:

Higher Education:  1/29/02, 1/30/02 [DP].

Floor Activity:

Passed House: 2/11/02, 94-0.

Brief Summary of Bill

$Allows The Evergreen State College to participate in the Running Start Program.

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON HIGHER EDUCATION

Majority Report:  Do pass. Signed by 7 members: Representatives Kenney, Chair; Fromhold, Vice Chair; Cox, Ranking Minority Member; Chase, Dunn, Jarrett and Lantz.

Staff:  Antonio Sanchez (786‑7383).

Background:

The 1990 Legislature enacted the Running Start Program to give high school juniors and seniors the opportunity to take college courses for free at Washington's 34 community and technical colleges.  This program allows qualifying students to earn college credits at that same time they are in high school.  In 1994 the Legislature expanded the program to include three state universities:  Washington State University, Eastern Washington University, and Central Washington University.  The expansion allowed greater access to the program for students in communities where no two-year colleges were available to directly serve them.

In 2000-2001 Running Start completed its 11th year and enrolled 13,669 individual students (equal to 8,189 FTEs).  In 2000 Running Start students had the following characteristics:

$58 percent were female, 42 percent male; 

$The average credit load taken by the students was 11-12 credits per quarter;

$38 percent of the students worked part time;

$Almost 80 percent of the students were enrolled in academic courses (primary courses in social science, English, speech, and humanities); and

$21 percent were enrolled in vocational courses.

Summary of Bill:

The Evergreen State College is allowed to participate in the Running Start program if their governing board authorizes participation in the program.

Appropriation:  None.

Fiscal Note:  Requested on January 23, 2002.

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

Testimony For:  Running Start at The Evergreen State College will allow local high school students the opportunity to take advantage of a unique learning environment.  It will save parents and students money.

Testimony Against:  None.

Testified:  (In support) Les Purce, President, The Evergreen State College; Edie Harding, The Evergreen State College; and Robert Butts, Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction.