SENATE BILL REPORT

SB 5706

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.

Brief Summary of Bill

Requires any college or university currently offering concurrent enrollment programs to be nationally accredited by academic year 2027-28.
Prohibits a higher education institution from offering concurrent enrollment programs if the institution has not attained or is not pursuing national accreditation.
Requires colleges and universities offering concurrent enrollment programs to undergo state authorization if the program is not yet accredited beginning in academic year 2019-20.

Background: Concurrent Enrollment Programs. College in the High School (CIHS) courses, also commonly known interchangeably as dual enrollment, concurrent enrollment, or dual credit courses, provide options to high school students pursuing rigorous college preparatory curriculum as well as options to students who are pursuing a profession and trade through technical and trade related college courses in the high school. These technical and trade related CIHS programs are typically known as Career and Technical Education (CTE) or Tech Prep. Additionally, like other dual credit options, such as Advanced Placement, International Baccalaureate, Cambridge International, and Running Start, successful completion of CIHS and CTE courses awards college-level credits to high school students while simultaneously completing requirements at the secondary-level.

CIHS courses are typically tuition free to enrolled students; however, fees are often assessed to obtain the credit and charges for textbooks and other materials may apply.

State Requirements for Concurrent Enrollment Program Accreditation. In Washington State, the Washington Administrative Code addresses CIHS standards. Current rule encourages National Alliance of Concurrent Enrollment Partnerships (NACEP) accreditation and mandates, at a minimum, that in lieu of accreditation, participating higher education institutions must provide evidence that they meet the most recent National Alliance of Concurrent Enrollment Partnerships student standards, curriculum and assessment standards, faculty standards, and evaluation standards.

Currently accredited programs include the University of Washington—UW in the High School, Eastern Washington University—EWU in the High School, and Everett Community College—College in the High School. Several other colleges are currently pursuing NACEP accreditation.

Summary of Bill: Beginning in the 2027-28 academic year, any college or university offering concurrent enrollment program courses at a public high school or CIHS programs must receive accreditation by a national accrediting body. If a college or university has not received accreditation or does not yet have a pending application for accreditation, the college or university may not offer a concurrent enrollment or a CIHS program at a public high school. New college and university concurrent enrollment programs that are implemented after the 2019-20 academic year have seven years from the first term courses are offered to submit an application for accreditation.

Beginning in the 2019-20 academic year, any college or university that is not yet accredited and is engaged in concurrent enrollment courses at a public high school or CIHS program must continue to undergo the annual state authorization review by the CIHS Standards Report Review Committee.

Staff Summary of Public Testimony: PRO: We have talked a lot about expanding access to college level courses, this bill is about ensuring those courses are accredited. The bill needs to address an exemption to CTE program to ensure they are not jeopardized as a part of this requirement. This bill is a huge step forward in ensuring that students will be successful in the next course in the sequence and providing some assurance of quality. We have been very supportive of accreditation standards for these courses. It is the right thing to do for our students. We think this is a positive next step. Career and technical education is a different program from the academic side. Accreditation of CTE programs under the same rules as the academic ones may not benefit the program.