BILL REQ. #:  H-4132.1 

READ FIRST TIME 02/06/12.   

     AN ACT Relating to creating innovations in higher education; and creating new sections.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 1   (1) The legislature finds that: (a) Longer-term economic trends, accelerated by the recession, are changing and enlarging the public's requirements for higher education; (b) the future of state's citizens and businesses requires a radical increase in high quality educational attainment; and (c) an increasing proportion of jobs require baccalaureate degrees while prospects are minimal for those with only a high school diploma or less.
     (2) The legislature also finds that in addition to a general requirement to rapidly increase educational attainment at all levels, innovative approaches are needed to meet the educational needs of two particular groups of citizens: (a) To retain or increase their earning power, large numbers of workers need to meet the economy's growing demands for baccalaureate-level skills, which may need to be frequently refreshed by additional baccalaureate-level study and training; and (b) large numbers of underskilled, under and unemployed persons need a practical, affordable path to gaining the entry-level academic skills prerequisite for college and university education and training.
     (3) Recognizing innovations by several of the state's baccalaureate universities and community and technical colleges to address these emerging needs, the legislature intends to launch two pilot projects. The legislature intends that one project, to be led by baccalaureate institutions, will design and demonstrate innovative approaches to baccalaureate-level instruction able to meet the needs of workers and businesses in the growth sectors of the state's economy. The legislature intends that another project, to be led by community and technical college institutions, will design and demonstrate innovative approaches to meeting the remedial and developmental education needs of potential workers to prepare to be successful higher education students.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 2   Working with the higher education coordinating board or successor agency, the state board for community and technical colleges, faculty, students, business, and other partners as may be appropriate, the four-year institutions of higher education are encouraged to work together in order to design innovative approaches to greatly increase the number of resident students working toward and gaining baccalaureate degrees or further updating or advancing their academic credentials. The four-year institutions of higher education shall submit to the governor and the higher education and education fiscal committees of the legislature an interim report by August 1, 2012, and a final report and proposals for implementation by December 1, 2012. The four-year institutions of higher education must include in the interim report a survey of relevant innovations by any of the institutions. The final report shall propose a comprehensive plan for implementing further, system-wide innovations designed to rapidly and substantially increase baccalaureate-level educational attainment by Washington residents employed or seeking employment in the high growth sectors of the state's economy. The four-year institutions of higher education are encouraged to include in the final report innovative methods for enabling students to gain credit for prior learning including recognition of coursework and academic credentials obtained by students in other states, other countries, or the military; and innovative programs, such as bridge programs, that reduce duplication of coursework and decrease time to completion of their degree or credential.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 3   Working with the higher education coordinating board or successor agency, faculty, students, business, and other agencies and partners as may be appropriate, the state board for community and technical colleges is encouraged to charter a consortium of volunteer community and technical colleges to design innovative approaches to rapidly and substantially increase the cost-effective delivery of developmental and remedial education. Wherever possible those innovations are to be tested in immediate pilot projects. The state board for community and technical colleges shall submit to the governor and the higher education and education fiscal committees of the legislature an interim report by August 1, 2012, and a final report and proposals for implementation by December 1, 2012, with the final efficiency study report in RCW 28B.50.216. The state board for community and technical colleges must include in the interim report a survey of relevant innovations by any of the colleges. The final report shall propose a comprehensive plan for implementing further, system-wide innovations designed to rapidly and substantially increase the cost-effectiveness of remedial and developmental education instruction for the full range of students seeking access to college and university education. The state board for community and technical colleges is encouraged to include in the final report innovative methods for enabling students to gain credit for prior learning including recognition of coursework and academic credentials obtained by students in other states, other countries, or the military; and innovative programs, such as bridge programs, that reduce duplication of coursework and decrease time to completion of their degree or credential.