HOUSE BILL REPORT

ESB 5203

BYSenators Gaspard, Benitz, McDermott, Bailey, Bauer, Johnson, Bender, Saling, Smitherman, Warnke, Rinehart, von Reichbauer, Barr, Garrett and Moore; by request of Commission for Vocational Education

Permitting a two-year tuition waiver under the Washington award for vocational excellence.

House Committe on Higher Education

Majority Report:  Do pass with amendment.  (10)

      Signed by Representatives Jacobsen, Chair; Allen, Barnes, Basich, Jesernig, Miller, Nelson, Silver, Unsoeld and K. Wilson.

Minority Report:  Do not pass.  (2)

      Signed by Representatives Heavey, Vice Chair; and Prince.

House Staff:Susan Hosch (786-7120)

AS OF HOUSE SECOND READING APRIL 1, 1987

BACKGROUND:

The Legislature established the Washington Award for Vocational Excellence (WAVE) in 1984 to recognize outstanding performance in occupational training programs.  Up to three graduating vocational or technical students from each legislative district are honored each year.  Award recipients are entitled to a one-year tuition and fee waiver at any of the state universities, regional universities, The Evergreen State College, the community colleges, or public vocational- technical institutes.

The Commission for Vocational Education administers the award program in cooperation with other public education organizations and business and labor groups.  Nominations for the award are made by local schools and their vocational advisory committees.  The state WAVE committee, composed of representatives of business, labor, vocational educators, school board members, community college trustees, and school administrators, selects the award recipients.  In the first two years of the program, 268 students have received the Washington Award for Vocational Excellence.

SUMMARY:

BILL AS AMENDED:  The Commission for Vocational Education, or its successor agency, is responsible for the development and administration of the Washington Award for Vocational Excellence.

Award recipients are entitled to a waiver of tuition and fees for six quarters or four semesters, including the summer term, at the state universities, regional universities, The Evergreen State College, and the community colleges. WAVE honorees must maintain a 3.0 grade point average, or the equivalent, for the first year in order to qualify for the second year of the waiver.  The waiver may be used for undergraduate studies only.

The award recipient will have fees waived at a public vocational- technical institute for two years.  The student must receive an above average rating in the first year to qualify for the second-year waiver.

Students who have completed at least one year of a vocational-technical program at a community college or public vocational-technical institute are eligible to receive the award. Students receiving awards in 1987 and thereafter will be entitled to two-year waivers.  In 1988, students who have completed one year of a vocational-technical program at a community college or vocational- technical institute will be eligible for consideration as well as graduating high school students.

AMENDED BILL COMPARED TO ORIGINAL:  The requirement that two-thirds of the students receiving the award should be graduating high school students is removed.

Fiscal Note:      Attached.

House Committee ‑ Testified For:    Dick Lutz, Association of Washington State Principals; Pat Justice-Green, State Board for Community College Education; and Jan Carlson, Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction.

House Committee - Testified Against:      None Presented.

House Committee - Testimony For:    The wave program recognizes the outstanding accomplishments of vocational students.  The changes this bill makes to the program will boost student and faculty morale and encourage more vocational students to attend institutions of higher education.  Increasing the tuition waivers from one to two years will provide a form of financial assistance to students who may not be eligible for other forms of aid.

House Committee - Testimony Against:      None Presented.