SSB 5104

HOUSE BILL REPORT
SSB 5104

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 Reported by House Committee On:
Higher Education

Brief Description: Expanding the applied baccalaureate degree pilot program.

Sponsors: Senate Committee on Higher Education (originally sponsored by Senators McAuliffe, Tom, Rockefeller, Shin, Oemig, Berkey, Brandland, Fairley, Pflug, Delvin, Rasmussen, Kohl-Welles, Keiser, Zarelli, Prentice, Eide, Kline, Hobbs, Clements and Kilmer).

Majority Report: Do pass as amended. Signed by 10 members: Representatives Wallace, Chair; Sells, Vice Chair; Anderson, Ranking Minority Member; Hankins, Hasegawa, Jarrett, McIntire, Roberts, Schmick and Sommers.

Background:

In 2005 the Legislature authorized the State Board for Community and Technical Colleges
(SBCTC) to select four applied Baccalaureate degree pilot programs at community or technical colleges. Six colleges submitted proposals. Bellevue Community College, Olympic College, Peninsula College, and South Seattle Community College were selected as the sites for the pilot projects. Colleges began planning for program development in 2006. Upper division students began enrolling in the programs in the fall of 2007.

Institutions typically develop the applied Baccalaureate pathways for graduates of community
and technical colleges who have earned professional/technical Associate in Applied Science
degrees. The applied Baccalaureate degrees generally fall under two categories:

same field studied in the applied associate degree. Examples include nursing and engineering technology; and

management.

The SBCTC selected the participating institutions based upon: (1) their capacity to commit
resources; (2) their ability to engage faculty to develop and deliver the curriculum; (3) the
demand for the programs in their service area; (4) the cost-effectiveness for students; and (5) whether the program filled a gap in options offered by a public four-year institution in the
geographic area.

The 2007-09 biennial budget authorized the SBCTC to select two additional pilots, one of which had to be a technical college.

Summary of Amended Bill:

By June 2008, the SBCTC will select up to three colleges to develop and offer applied
Baccalaureate degree programs. At least one selected college must be a technical college. The SBCTC will use the same criteria as used in the initial applied Baccalaureate degree pilot.

Amended Bill Compared to Substitute Bill:

The amended bill allows for the expansion to three community and technical colleges rather than two.

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

Staff Summary of Public Testimony:

(In support) The needs of employers are changing and are requiring that students have higher levels of education. The students, who would access these programs are already out working, on average for a decade. Some of the geographic areas in which these schools are located are isolated and there are no other opportunities in their home community. These are place-bound students who wouldn't have otherwise had the opportunity to pursue a four-year degree close to home. Work is already underway to expand the pilot program because the expansion was authorized in the 2007 budget – at Columbia Basin it is the first applied Baccalaureate opportunity on the Eastern side of the state. The SBCTC would like to expand the pilot to three more schools, rather than just two like the bill is currently written.

Persons Testifying: (In support) Loretta Seppanen, State Board for Community and Technical Colleges.