HB 2252

Brief Description: Concerning policies for granting academic credit at institutions of higher education for international baccalaureate (IB) examinations.

Sponsors: Representatives Dolan, Harris, Santos, Johnson, Bergquist, Steele, Lovick, Senn, Stokesbary, Kilduff, Ortiz-Self, Valdez, Slatter and Stonier.

Hearing Date: 1/10/18

Staff: Megan Mulvihill (786-7304).

Background:

College students can often earn college credit by demonstrating competency in a subject by taking an examination. Students who score well on their examinations may earn college credit or have the option to opt-out of an introductory college course. National examinations include options such as Advanced Placement (AP), International Baccalaureate (IB), and the College Level Examination Program (CLEP).

The IB Diploma Programme is a two-year university preparation program for students aged 16 to 19. Students in the Diploma Programme participate in a compulsory core that includes a Theory of Knowledge class, an extended essay, and a creativity, activity service, and take classes in six subject groups: language and literature, language acquisition, individuals and societies, sciences, math, and the arts. IB courses are offered at either standard level (SL) or higher level (HL). HL courses are comprised of 240 teaching hours whereas SL courses are 150 teaching hours. Students are required to take at least three courses at higher level, but no more than four. Students must pass an examination at the end of each course. The scoring for these examinations is a range of one to seven points. Students earn an IB diploma if they meet the minimum requirements of the program, including completing the core program and earning at least 24 points across the six subject examinations with a minimum score of three in at least four subjects. However, not all students seek to earn an IB diploma. Many students take individual IB classes. There are 23 high schools in Washington that offer the IB Diploma Programme, and according to the Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction's Washington State Report Card, in 2015-16 there were 8,223 students taking IB courses.

Each institution of higher education has its own policy for how to award credit for IB examinations. Some of the institutions only award college credit for higher level courses, and some provide more credits for students who earned the IB diploma.

During the 2017 Legislative Session, Engrossed Senate Bill 5234 was enacted and requires the institutions of higher education to establish a coordinated, evidence-based policy for granting undergraduate college credits to students who earn minimum scores of three on AP examinations. The institutions are required to post the policy on campus web sites effective for the 2017 fall academic term and conduct reviews of the policy and report noncompliance in annual reports to the Legislature beginning November 1, 2019.

Summary of Bill:

The public institutions of higher education are required to establish coordinated, evidence-based policies for granting as many undergraduate college credits as possible and appropriate for general education requirements or the equivalent to students who earn minimum scores of four on IB examinations. In addition, the college credit granted to students who earn minimum scores of three on AP examinations is limited to credit for general education requirements or the equivalent. The credit policies for IB examinations must be posted on campus web sites effective for the 2018 fall academic term. The institutions of higher education are required to conduct biennial reviews of their IB credit policies and report any noncompliance to the Legislature annually beginning November 1, 2019.

Appropriation: None.

Fiscal Note: Requested on 01/05/2018.

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