Washington residents 16 years of age or older may receive a high school equivalency certificate if they have been adjudged by a school district as possessing a substantial and warranted reason for leaving the regular high school education program. Otherwise, eligible residents must be 19 years of age or older.
Community and technical colleges offer high school diploma and completion programs, as well as Basic Education for Adults classes and programs to prepare students to pass the General Educational Development (GED) exam. After passing the four-part GED exam, an individual receives a certificate showing that they have the same level of knowledge as a high school graduate.
Governing boards of community and technical colleges may waive all or a portion of high school diploma or certificate course tuition and service and activity fees for resident students 19 years of age or older. Such fees are $25 per quarter and some community and technical colleges charge an additional $10 technology fee.
The requirement that a student must be 19 years of age or older for governing boards of community and technical colleges to waive all or a portion of high school diploma or certificate course fees is eliminated.
(In support) This bill reduces barriers to higher education by removing the minimum age requirement for a high school completion or GED course fee waiver. Many of the state's colleges are exploring ways to accelerate students to secondary credentials and degrees needed to successfully enter the workforce. This bill creates an equity-based opportunity, as traditional high school students have with running start and other dual enrollment options. This will help more people get on the right career path so they can pursue their dreams.
Waiving tuition for college level classes for High School+ students has had a significant impact on adult high school students. Students are earning college level credits that also count towards their high school graduation requirements, and the students that have participated so far reported an increase in confidence and self-worth that has encouraged many to continue to other post-secondary institutions, leading to a more skilled workforce. After one full year, students who access this tuition waiver transition to a postsecondary degree at a much higher percentage of 54 percent compared to the overall rate of 10 percent prior to this tuition waiver.
(Opposed) None.
Senator Matt Boehnke, prime sponsor; Troy Goracke, WA State Board for Community and Technical Colleges; and Sarah Stiffler, Spokane Community College.