E2SHB 1779

HOUSE BILL REPORT
E2SHB 1779

This analysis was prepared by non-partisan legislative staff for the use of legislative members in their deliberations. This analysis is not a part of the legislation nor does it constitute a statement of legislative intent.

As Amended by the Senate

Title: An act relating to the GET ready for math and science scholarship program.

Brief Description: Creating the GET ready for math and science scholarship program.

Sponsors: By House Committee on Appropriations (originally sponsored by Representatives Wallace, Dunn, Haigh, Kenney, Hasegawa, B. Sullivan, McDermott, Takko, Roberts, P. Sullivan, Fromhold, Quall, Simpson, Lantz, Hudgins, Kagi, Santos, Ormsby and Morrell).

Majority Report: The substitute bill be substituted therefor and the substitute bill do pass. Signed by 8 members: Representatives Wallace, Chair; Sells, Vice Chair; Buri, Assistant Ranking Minority Member; Hasegawa, Jarrett, McIntire, Roberts and Sommers.

Majority Report: The second substitute bill be substituted therefor and the second substitute bill do pass and do not pass the substitute bill by Committee on Higher Education. Signed by 34 members: Representatives Sommers, Chair; Dunshee, Vice Chair; Alexander, Ranking Minority Member; Bailey, Assistant Ranking Minority Member; Haler, Assistant Ranking Minority Member; Anderson, Buri, Chandler, Cody, Conway, Darneille, Dunn, Ericks, Fromhold, Grant, Haigh, Hinkle, Hunt, Hunter, Kagi, Kenney, Kessler, Kretz, Linville, McDermott, McDonald, McIntire, Morrell, Pettigrew, Priest, Schual-Berke, Seaquist, P. Sullivan and Walsh.

Background:

Need for Degrees in Math and Science
The percentage of students majoring in math, science, and engineering has declined over at least the past decade, despite the fact that job opportunities in these fields continue to be strong. The state has recognized the need to increase the number of students majoring in math, science, and engineering. For example, the 2006 Supplemental Operating Budget provided about $3.7 million for math and science enrollments at the University of Washington and Washington State University. The 2006 budget also included a $500,000 appropriation to provide additional scholarships for students studying to become teachers in, among other fields, secondary math and science.

As part of the Washington Learns effort, the need for Washington's colleges and universities to produce more graduates in high demand fields, particularly mathematics and science, was acknowledged. The Washington Learns final report concluded that more students need to major in math and science. To provide incentives for students to do so, the Washington Learns report recommended creating scholarships to encourage low- and middle-income students who show an interest in math and science to major in those fields in college.

Guaranteed Education Tuition (GET) Program
Washington's Advanced College Tuition Payment Program—known as the GET Program—was created in 1998 as Washington's prepaid college tuition program. The GET Program allows purchasers to buy tuition units at current prices for use at a later date. These funds are invested by the State Investment Board and the purchaser is guaranteed that one year's worth of units purchased now will be worth one year's worth of public university tuition in the future.

Summary of Engrossed Second Substitute Bill:

The GET Ready for Math and Science Scholarship Program (Scholarship Program) is created. The Scholarship Program will provide college scholarships for students who:

(1)   score a "4" ("Advanced") on the 10th grade Washington Assessment of Student Learning (WASL) in either math or science or achieved a score in the 95th percentile or higher on the math SAT or ACT;
(2)   have a family income no greater than 125 percent of the median family income in       Washington at the time they apply for the scholarship and for up to the two previous       years;
(3)   agree to major in a math, science, or related field; and
(4)   make a commitment to work for at least three years in Washington in a math, science,       or related field.

The scholarships can be used at any public or private accredited college or university in Washington. However, the maximum annual scholarship amount cannot be more than the annual cost of undergraduate tuition and fees at the University of Washington.

The Scholarship Program will be administered by a private non-profit organization. The non-profit organization and the Higher Education Coordinating Board (HECB) will determine criteria for the undergraduate programs and majors offered in Washington in math, science, or a related field that qualify a student for a scholarship. The HECB will post the criteria for qualified courses and list these programs and majors on its website.

If a student receives a scholarship and then (1) does not graduate from college, (2) switches to a major not in math, science, or related field, or (3) does not work in a math, science or a related field in Washington for at least three years after graduation, the student will be required to pay back some or all of the scholarship funds received.

The HECB will buy tuition units from the state's Guaranteed Education Tuition Program (Washington's prepaid college tuition program) to be used for the GET Ready for Math and Science scholarships.

EFFECT OF SENATE AMENDMENT(S):

Includes a provision that scholarships will only be awarded to the extent that funds are available for that purpose. Requires that the Higher Education Coordinating Board and program administrator establish criteria for selecting eligible applicants who, without scholarship assistance, would be least likely to pursue a qualified undergraduate program at an institution of higher education in Washington state. Clarifies that an eligible recipient is an eligible student who has been awarded a scholarship in accordance with the selection criteria and process.

Effective Date: The bill takes effect 90 days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.

Staff Summary of Public Testimony: (Higher Education)

(In support) There is little question that there are needs for employees in science, mathematics, engineering and technology. This bill is designed to get students to be more interested in those fields. It will provide a powerful incentive and reward them for doing well on their WASL exam instead of taking a punitive approach.

This program is a state and private sector partnership that seeks to offer scholarships in math, science, engineering and technology for 1,000 students by purchasing guaranteed tuition packages for them. The goal is $28 million with half from state funds and half from private funds. The dollar for dollar match is great, and it will send a message to lower and moderate income families. This is an exciting component of the Governor's math and science focus.

Suggestions to strengthen the bill are to allow the HECB to establish rules to reflect extenuating student circumstances, and for the HECB to develop criteria for courses as well as majors and programs that will that qualify.

(Opposed) None.

Staff Summary of Public Testimony: (Appropriations)

(In support) The GET Ready for Math and Science program is a program responsive to the need for innovative strategies to improve student scores on the math WASL test, engage more students in math and science and prepare more students to meet the employer demand for math and science degrees. Furthermore, the program leverages private sector dollars towards the shared goal of more math and science degrees in Washington state.

In addition, the program provides a good model for leveraging private dollars. The College Success Foundation would be responsible for leveraging state funding by raising matching funds on a dollar for dollar basis. The GET Ready for Math and Science program is a key component of Washington Learns and funding was provided in the Governor's budget.

(Opposed) None.

Persons Testifying: (Higher Education) Bob Craves and Susan Pollock, College Success Foundation; Debora Merle, Governor's office; Cindy Morana, Council of Presidents; and John Klacik, Higher Education Coordinating Board.

Persons Testifying: (Appropriations) Gary Gardner, College Success Foundation; and Deb Merle, Office of the Governor.