FINAL BILL REPORT

ESB 5974

C 3 L 11 E 2

Synopsis as Enacted

Brief Description: Including examinations by a national multidisciplinary science, technology, engineering, and mathematics program on the master list of postsecondary courses fulfilled by proficiency examinations.

Sponsors: Senators Tom, Litzow, Kilmer, Fain, Hewitt, Chase and Kohl-Welles; by request of Governor Gregoire.

Senate Committee on Ways & Means

Background: Postsecondary Course Credit in High School. Various education programs allow high school students to earn postsecondary course credit while also earning credit toward high school graduation, including:

• Running Start, which allows students to take courses on college campuses that count toward both high school and college graduation;

• College in the High School, which permits students to complete college-level work while staying on their high school campuses;

• Tech Prep, which allows students to take professional technical courses on their high school campuses;

• Advanced Placement and International Baccalaureate Programs, which allow students to take college-level courses while staying on their high school campuses with the requirement that students must pass a standardized examination in order to obtain college credit; and

• Running Start for the Trades, which prepares students to enter apprenticeships immediately after high school graduation.

The institutions of higher education are required to collaboratively develop a master list of postsecondary courses that can be fulfilled by taking the advanced placement, international baccalaureate, or other recognized college-level proficiency exams and meeting the qualifying examination score or demonstrated competencies for lower-division general education requirements or postsecondary professional technical requirements.

Project Lead the Way. Project Lead The Way (PLTW) is a national organization that provides science, technology, engineering, and mathematics curricular programs for middle and high schools in the United States, as well as a professional development component for teachers. The curricula are developed to enhance student learning by providing a hands-on, problem-solving approach.

In Washington State, there are currently 7,150 students served through PLTW engineering programs at 44 middle schools and 63 high schools, and PLTW biomedical-science programs at 18 high schools. Training for teachers is provided by Seattle University and Washington State University-Spokane.

Summary: Expands the list of college-level proficiency exams that are recognized as a method for fulfilling postsecondary courses by adding examinations by a national multidisciplinary science, technology, engineering, and mathematics program to the list.

Votes on Final Passage:

Second Special Session