SENATE BILL REPORT
SB 6260
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 of January 29, 2018
Title: An act relating to costs for low-income running start students.
Brief Description: Covering costs for low-income running start students.
Sponsors: Senators Ranker, Liias, Kuderer, Hasegawa, Hunt, Keiser and Darneille.
Brief History:
Committee Activity: Early Learning & K-12 Education: 1/29/18.
Brief Summary of Bill |
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SENATE COMMITTEE ON EARLY LEARNING & K-12 EDUCATION |
Staff: Benjamin Omdal (786-7442)
Background: Running Start Program. Running Start allows 11th and 12th-grade high school students to take courses at community colleges, technical colleges, and various four-year institutions of higher education. Upon completion of a course, students earn both high school and college credit.
Running start students and their families do not pay tuition, but students must pay for college fees, purchase textbooks and other materials, and provide their own transportation to and from the institution. In 2011, the Legislature passed a law that allowed institutions to charge up to 10 percent of tuition costs to students.
By law, local school districts are not responsible for student transportation to and from institutions of higher education.
Fee Waivers for Low-Income Running Start Students. Institutions of higher education must make fee waivers available for low-income Running Start students. Each institution must have a written policy for determining low-income students. However, students shall be considered low-income and eligible for a fee waiver upon proof that the student qualifies for free or reduced-price lunch.
Program Funding. Institutions are reimbursed by local schools districts for costs for Running Start students. Current law requires that districts reimburse the institutions at per student rate allotted for basic education funding, with the districts retaining 7 percent of these funds. Vocational students are funded at an additional rate.
Running Start Enrollment. For the 2017-18 school year, the per pupil allotment was $6,570 for nonvocational students, and $7,459 for vocational students. In the 2017-18 school year, there are estimated to be around 22,000 nonvocational Running Start students and 1,600 vocational Running Start students. Approximately 30 percent of Running Start students qualify for free or reduced-price lunch.
Summary of Bill: Institutions of higher education are required to cover costs of textbooks and transportation for low-income Running Start students, and shall develop their own programs for providing for these costs. Funding for the costs associated with these provisions shall come from the funds that institutions receive from school districts for Running Start students.
Appropriation: None.
Fiscal Note: Available.
Creates Committee/Commission/Task Force that includes Legislative members: No.
Effective Date: Ninety days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.