This section adds a new section to an existing chapter 28A.600. Here is the modified chapter for context.
Subject to the availability of amounts appropriated for this specific purpose, the office of the superintendent of public instruction shall create and administer a grant program for the purpose of providing funds to school districts, charter schools, and state-tribal compact schools to cover the credit tuition fee for college in the high school program courses under RCW 28A.600.287 for low-income students.
School districts, charter schools, and state-tribal compact schools receiving funds under this grant program must cover the per college credit tuition fee for a program course at the full per credit amount set by the program under RCW 28A.600.287.
The office of the superintendent of public instruction may adopt rules necessary for the implementation of this section. Rules adopted under this subsection must be jointly developed by the superintendent of public instruction, the state board for community and technical colleges, the student achievement council, and the public baccalaureate institutions.
For the purposes of this section, "low-income students" means students who are eligible for free and reduced-price meals.
This section modifies existing section 28A.600.287. Here is the modified chapter for context.
College in the high school is a dual credit program located on a high school campus or in a high school environment in which a high school student is able to earn both high school and college credit by completing college level courses with a passing grade. A college in the high school program must meet the accreditation requirements in RCW 28B.10.035 and the requirements in this section.
A college in the high school program may include both academic and career and technical education.
Ninth, 10th, 11th, and 12th grade students, and students who have not yet received a high school diploma or its equivalent and are eligible to be in the ninth, 10th, 11th, or 12th grades, may participate in a college in the high school program.
A college in the high school program must be governed by a local contract between an institution of higher education and a school district, charter school, or state-tribal compact school, in compliance with the rules adopted by the superintendent of public instruction under this section. The local contract must include the qualifications for students to enroll in a program course.
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An institution of higher education may charge tuition fees per credit to each student enrolled in a program course as established in this subsection (5).
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The maximum per college credit tuition fee for a program course is $35 per college credit adjusted for inflation using the implicit price deflator for that fiscal year, using fiscal year 2021 as the base, as compiled by the bureau of labor statistics, United States department of labor for the state of Washington.
Annually by July 1st, the office of the superintendent of public instruction must calculate the maximum per college credit tuition fee and post the fee on its website.
Institutions of higher education will be reimbursed the costs associated with the changes in the maximum per college credit tuition fee as a result of this act.
The funds received by an institution of higher education under this subsection (5) are not tuition or operating fees and may be retained by the institution of higher education.
Enrollment information on persons registered under this section must be maintained by the institution of higher education separately from other enrollment information and may not be included in official enrollment reports, nor may such persons be considered in any enrollment statistics that would affect higher education budgetary determinations.
Each school district, charter school, and state-tribal compact school must award high school credit to a student enrolled in a program course if the student successfully completes the course. If no comparable course is offered by the school district, charter school, or state-tribal compact school, the chief administrator shall determine how many credits to award for the successful completion of the program course. The determination must be made in writing before the student enrolls in the program course. The awarded credit must be applied toward graduation requirements and subject area requirements. Evidence of successful completion of each program course must be included in the student's high school records and transcript.
An institution of higher education must award college credit to a student enrolled in a program course if the student successfully completes the course. The awarded college credit must be applied toward general education requirements or degree requirements at the institution of higher education. Evidence of successful completion of each program course must be included in the student's college transcript.
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A high school that offers a college in the high school program must provide general information about the program to all students in grades eight through 12 and to the parents and guardians of those students.
A high school that offers a college in the high school program must include the following information about program courses in the high school catalogue or equivalent:
There is no fee for students to enroll in a program course to earn only high school credit. Fees apply for students who choose to enroll in a program course to earn both high school and college credit;
A description and breakdown of the fees charged to students to earn college credit;
A description of fee payment and financial assistance options available to students; and
A notification that paying for college credit automatically starts an official college transcript with the institution of higher education offering the program course regardless of student performance in the program course, and that college credit earned upon successful completion of a program course may count only as elective credit if transferred to another institution of higher education.
Full-time and part-time faculty at institutions of higher education, including adjunct faculty, are eligible to teach program courses.
Students enrolled in a program course may pay college in the high school fees with advanced college tuition payment program tuition units at a rate set by the advanced college tuition payment program governing body under chapter 28B.95 RCW.
The superintendent of public instruction shall adopt rules for the administration of this section. The rules must be jointly developed by the superintendent of public instruction, the state board for community and technical colleges, the student achievement council, and the public baccalaureate institutions. The association of Washington school principals must be consulted during the rules development. The rules must outline quality and eligibility standards that are informed by nationally recognized standards or models. In addition, the rules must encourage the maximum use of the program and may not narrow or limit the enrollment options.
The definitions in this subsection apply throughout this section.
"Charter school" means a school established under chapter 28A.710 RCW.
"High school" means a public school, as defined in RCW 28A.150.010, that serves students in any of grades nine through 12.
"Institution of higher education" has the same meaning as in RCW 28B.10.016, and also means a public tribal college located in Washington and accredited by the northwest commission on colleges and universities or another accrediting association recognized by the United States department of education.
"Program course" means a college course offered in a high school under a college in the high school program.
"State-tribal compact school" means a school established under chapter 28A.715 RCW.
If specific funding for the purposes of sections 2 and 3 of this act, referencing sections 2 and 3 of this act by bill or chapter number and section number, is not provided by June 30, 2022, in the omnibus operating appropriations act, sections 2 and 3 of this act are null and void.