Hearings continued into their fourth week, with House and Senate higher education committees hearing State Board-requested bills on expanding eligibility for the College Bound Scholarship and waiving tuition for students in high school completion courses. In the Senate, members of the Senate Higher Education and Workforce Development Committee learned more about system Basic Education for Adults programs.

Senate committee hears bills on sexual assault survivor support, student involvement on trustee boards 

Feb. 3 — A bill supporting survivors of sexual assault on college campuses and a bill that would add a student to all community and technical college boards of trustees were up for hearings at Monday’s Senate Higher Education and Workforce Development Committee meeting.

Supporting survivors of sexual assault

The supporting sexual assault survivors bill, SB 5355, would apply to the state’s six public four-year universities and community and technical colleges that enroll more than 8,000 students, about 17 of the 34 colleges. The bill establishes rights for survivors, including a specified timeline for an investigation, support services, and access to a no-fee attorney. The bill also requires those colleges and universities to establish a student health and safety committee, as well as training on sex-based and gender-based violence and harassment for employees and students.

Sen. Tina Orwall, the bill’s prime sponsor, said the bill is about keeping students safe while on campus.

“It's so important because we know that 25% of women and 13% of all students experience sexual assault or rape [attending a] post-secondary institution. We also know that your first year in college, for women, you're double the rate of odds to be sexually assaulted. We're talking about something that often happens frequently,” she said. “We heard from a number of students that they didn't know where to get resources.”

Christine McMullin, a student services policy associate with the State Board, testified that the college system supports the bill’s underlying policy and intent, calling it long overdue. She stressed, however, that colleges need legislative support for its campus resources.

“To successfully achieve the goals of this bill, investment in mental health counseling must be made at our colleges,” she said. “Without these additional resources our colleges will struggle to serve the survivors of sexual assault and harassment.”

Adding a student to college boards of trustees

The committee also heard testimony on SB 5523, a bill that would add a student to all community and technical college boards of trustees. Currently, Bellevue College and Edmonds College have a student board member. The bill would also require an opportunity for a student government representative at the state’s public four-year universities and community and technical colleges to provide a report at each regular board meeting.

“Student voice is important, and a lot of times we just talk about what they're saying and how we're going to benefit them,” Sen. Marcus Riccelli, the bill’s prime sponsor, said. “This ensures that they get to have self-determination in their academic endeavor, and I bring this forward to you as a way to provide greater student voice.”

Arlen Harris, the State Board’s legislative director, called the bill positive. He offered suggestions for amendments, including having students recuse themselves during litigation discussions and asking the State Board to develop implementation rules to ensure uniformity across colleges.

Senate Ways and Means hears Tribal elder tuition waiver bill

Feb. 3 — The Senate Ways and Means Committee at its hearing Monday took up the community and technical college system-requested bill that would allow colleges to adopt a tuition waiver for elders over the age of 55 who are members of Washington’s 29 federally-recognized Tribes. The hearing was on the fiscal impacts of the bill — SB 5110 — an estimated $434,000 each year.

“Tribal communities acknowledge elder status at the age of 55 and this change would be an important step toward recognizing the unique contribution and needs of Indigenous communities and educational system,” Maya Esquivido-Strom, interim director of tribal government affairs with the State Board, said.

Suzy Ames, president of Peninsula College, also spoke in favor of the bill, telling senators that the bill would allow colleges to better serve Indigenous members of their communities.

“Lowering the age threshold to 55 would allow colleges to engage in a deeper conversation with each Tribe to offer a tuition waiver for more Indigenous members who are acknowledged as elders within their tribe,” she said.

Committees hear bill to expand College Bound eligibility

House and Senate versions of a bill that would make students who receive a high school equivalency certificate eligible for the College Bound Scholarship were heard in their respective policy committees this week. The House Postsecondary Education and Workforce Committee on Tuesday took up HB 1554 and the Senate Higher Education and Workforce Committee on Thursday heard SB 5543. Both bills were introduced at the request of the State Board.

Under current law, students who graduate from high school without a felony conviction and whose families do not exceed 65% of the state median family income are eligible to use the College Bound Scholarship at community and technical colleges. Students attending a public or private university must maintain a C average while in high school to be eligible for the scholarship. The bills under consideration this week, if passed, would make the College Bound Scholarship available to students who receive a high school equivalency certificate.

“I want those that qualify for the College Bound Scholarship — took that College Bound Pledge — and then go get their GED® to also have the same access to higher education that other folks do in the College Bound Scholarship,” Rep. Joe Timmons, the House bill’s prime sponsor, told members of the House Postsecondary Education and Workforce Committee.

Sen. Matt Boehnke, the Senate bill’s prime sponsor, testified that the bill is an opportunity for students who were in the foster care system and those who are low income.

“I've witnessed firsthand some of these programs transforming lives, lives of not only them but the families that continue on in the generational wealth that we want to transfer down to a lot of these areas,” he said. “It doesn't matter what age it is, but it's that mindset that you're going after a goal, you're achieving that goal, that you can then build up the pride you have in yourself, but those educational goals that you know you have a lot more opportunities that open up that reduces those barriers.”

About 4,000 Washington state students earned a GED® in the 2023-24 school year.

“Many education program providers and students do not realize the GED qualifies for the scholarship, and as a result, students don't access the benefit. This change will clarify the credential's eligibility,” Troy Goracke, a State Board basic education for adults policy associate who serves as the state’s GED® administrator, told the committees. “In addition, all of the paths to a secondary credential are specifically called out in statute. This change will place these students on equal status, which aligns with the intent of the program and provides equity for these Washington residents.”

Kenny Austin, who serves as chair of the Washington state Adult Education Advisory Council, also spoke in favor of the bill before the Senate Higher Education and Workforce Committee.

“This will make it clear to them that that continued pathway is still there to continue the education to the next higher level,” he said.

Bill eliminating college tuition waiver age limit for students pursuing high school diploma heard in committees

House and Senate higher education committees heard testimony this week on a State Board-requested bill that would give community and technical colleges the ability to waive course fees for students attending their schools to earn a high school diploma or certificate. Current law states that students are only eligible for that waiver if they’re at least 19 years old. Colleges charge $25 per quarter and some colleges add a $10 technology fee.

“I am here today with a piece of legislation that is agency request that is simply asking us to look at the reality of who is in school today and ask that we lower the age for students who can qualify for a fee waiver in our completion programs to 16,” Rep. Debra Entenman, the House bill’s prime sponsor, said. “I hope that we will have students complete their educational journey or reenroll or reengage in school by having this opportunity to have these ways to come back to school at a younger age and hopefully fulfill our goals of high school completion and higher ed completion.”

In the Senate, Sen. Matt Boehnke, that bill’s prime sponsor, told committee members that he supports the legislation because he’s seen students’ lives changed because of the opportunities they’ve had going to a community college. Boehnke also teaches computer science at Columbia Basin College.

“This bill will help eliminate the arbitrary barriers that I think currently exist and [that] prevent some of our Washington residents from completing their high school education through the community college system,” he said.

Troy Goracke, a State Board basic education for adults policy associate who oversees adult secondary education, told committee members that the bill would be revenue neutral to the state, which faces a projected $12 billion budget shortfall over the next four years.

“Many of our colleges are exploring ways to accelerate students to secondary credentials and degrees needed to successfully enter the workforce,” he said. “Washington residents will enroll in postsecondary education earn high school diplomas, certificates, credentials and degrees, and successfully transition to the workforce at higher levels at no additional cost to the state.”

Sarah Stiffler, adult basic education assistant dean at Columbia Basin College, spoke in favor of the bill before the Senate committee, telling senators that the college’s decision in 2023 to waive tuition for college-level classes for High School+ — the college system’s competency-based high school diploma program — had a significant impact on adult high schools students.

“Our students have reported an increase in confidence and self-worth that has encouraged many to continue with CBC in a degree or certificate [program] leading to a more skilled workforce,” she said.

Rick Anderson, a Columbia Basin College student, told senators that he came to CBC to finish his high school diploma after dropping out of high school 43 years ago.

“This program let me undo that regret,” he said. He’s now halfway through completing an Associate of Arts degree.

The House Postsecondary Education and Workforce Committee heard its version of the bill, HB 1556, at its Tuesday hearing. The Senate Higher Education and Workforce Development Committee took up that version, SB 5542, at its Thursday hearing.

House higher education committee hears student financial support bills

Feb. 5 — The House Postsecondary Education and Workforce Committee at its hearing Wednesday took up three bills that would help students fund their college education.

Washington 13 Free Guarantee

Up first was a bill — HB 1657 — that would provide up to 45 credits at any of the state’s five technical colleges tuition-free to students graduating from a Washington state school regardless of income. Students would need to enroll in a technical college at least part time, file a FAFSA or WASFA, and have not previously earned an associate degree.

Rep. Steve Bergquist, the bill’s prime sponsor, stressed to committee members that the cost to the state would be minimal. The bill draws on the Renton Promise Program, a 2023 partnership between the college and the Renton School District that provides full tuition and fees to the college for up to two years for graduating seniors. The program saw 123 students enroll at RTC at a total cost of $199,000.

“We're looking at these great opportunities. Our students don't even have an idea that maybe this opportunity is available to them,” Bergquist said. “Let's open up those opportunities for our students, especially for that type of cost. The benefit, I think really outweighs the cost in this situation.”

Jennifer Dellinger, a State Board workforce education policy associate, spoke in favor of the bill, saying that technical college graduates earn an median starting wage of $26 an hour.

“In a time of increased costs and financial strain, House Bill 1657 provides strategic opportunity to ensure we are making workforce pathways at technical colleges more accessible for recent high school graduates,” she said. “Providing 45 credits tuition-free to technical college and wraparound support regardless of income will successfully support transitions from high school to postsecondary giving students the freedom to focus on and excel in their education without financial worry.”

Washington Dual Enrollment Scholarship Pilot Program

The committee also heard testimony on a bill that would expand eligibility of the Washington Dual Enrollment Scholarship Pilot Program. Established in 2019, the program offers scholarships to Running Start students who qualify for free or reduced-price lunch, are enrolled in one or more dual credit programs, and have at least a 2.0 grade point average. Scholarships may cover mandatory fees, prorated based on credit load, course fees and laboratory fees, a textbook voucher to be used at the institution's bookstore, and apprenticeship materials

The bill, HB 1565, expands on a pilot program sponsored by Rep. Dave Paul established in 2019. If this year’s legislation passes, the program would open to students who qualify for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, the College Bound Scholarship, and the Washington College Grant. It also removes the minimum GPA requirement and changes the textbook voucher to cover more materials.

“While [Running Start] is tuition free, students and their families are still responsible for fees and textbooks and other expenses,” Paul, the bill’s prime sponsor, said. “We'd like to continue the program for five more years.”

Stephanie Rock, a student services policy associate with the State Board, spoke in favor of the bill, asking committee members to consider an amendment clarifying that the program would be extended to just Running Start students.

“Covering these costs ensure that all Running Start students have access to the appropriate tools and materials to fully participate in their college courses,” she said. “The passage of House Bill 1565 would provide more Washington students access to workforce pathways by covering high-cost materials that can be associated with professional-technical programs.”

Washington College Grant eligibility

The committee heard the House version of a bill that would expand eligibility of the Washington College Grant. Under HB 1568, students earning 0% to 70% of the Washington state median family income would be eligible for the grant's maximum award. Under current law, the maximum award is available to students earning 0% to 65% of the state median family income. The bill would also change thresholds for partial awards and provide $500 grants to low-income students for cover higher education expenses outside of tuition and fees. The Senate Higher Education and Workforce Development Committee heard its version of the bill — SB 5402 — at its hearing Jan. 30.

“This is an aspirational bill that becomes more aspirational the worse the budget gets,” Rep. Dave Paul, the bill’s prime sponsor, said about HB 1568. “But we would like to continue the great work to help middle-class families get access to the Washington College Grant and to help keep students out of debt while they're going to school, which I think is critical.”

Jessica Perez, a State Board student services policy associate, testified in favor of the bill.

“This increase will help to further close those funding gaps making higher education more affordable for a broader range of students,” she said. “By providing additional financial support, this may also reduce students' reliance on federal and/or state loans, which uses future financial burdens generally associated with obtaining postsecondary education.”

Senate Higher Ed

Feb. 6 — The Senate Higher Education and Workforce Development Committee at its hearing Thursday held a work session to learn more about the college system’s basic education for adults programs, hearing from State Board staff and from a dean and two students from South Puget Sound Community College.

During the public hearing portion of the meeting, senators heard testimony on a bill that would limit the number of non-tenured track faculty teaching at community and technical colleges. Senators also heard bills on expanding the College Bound Scholarship and tuition waivers for students enrolled in high school completion programs. Coverage of those two bills is above.

Basic Education for Adults work session

Thursday's work session before the Senate Higher Education and Workforce Development Committee gave legislators insight into how Basic Education for Adults (BEdA) programs support students and the workforce.

BEdA programs help students build essential skills in reading, writing, math, and English, enabling them to earn high school diplomas or equivalents, transition to college-level education and training, and secure employment. Through an interagency agreement with the state Department of Corrections, BEdA programs are also available in correctional facilities.

Will Durden, Basic Education for Adults director with the State Board, pointed out that BEdA programs are designed to help students earn high school credentials and then move into even higher levels of education.

“We don't just do the high school credential, [which is a] very important part of the program, but just the beginning. That transition to postsecondary training and employment is equally important for us and equally a goal,” he said.

Durden emphasized the importance of BEdA programs in strengthening Washington’s workforce, as the state faces a shortage of 600,000 credentialed workers while an estimated 498,000 adults hold less than a high school diploma or certificate.

"You'll see that the bulk of our students are really in that kind of prime working age space with over half of our students in that 25 to 44 age range with healthy numbers just below and above that as well. And I think a very interesting statistic that sometimes surprises folks is nearly one in three adults who come to our programs to learn English, hold a postsecondary or professional degree from another country."

Durden went on to highlight two flagship BEdA programs within Washington’s community and technical college system: High School + and Integrated Basic Education and skills Training (I-BEST).

In the High School+ program, students earn high school credits by demonstrating their competency through prior transcripts or life experience and then complete their studies to earn a high school diploma from a community or technical college. The students can then move into I-BEST programs, where they continue to learn basic skills  and in-demand workforce skills at the same time, with two instructors in the classroom. 

Nicole Daughtry, a BEdA policy associate with the State Board, discussed three key factors behind I-BEST programs' success: integrating basic skills with job training, using a team-teaching approach, and providing support services to remove student barriers.

“Not only does it transform Basic Education for Adults by ensuring that there's contextualized, industry-specific training … our students after one to three quarters can come out of the I-BEST program with an industry credential and go straight into the workforce and they're able to make living wages to take care of their families and to move forward in the workforce. Or, they can also continue on to a degree pathway that's already been set out for them to complete an associate of applied science or even move forward to a bachelor's degree,” she said.

Jennifer Barber, dean of transition studies at South Puget Sound Community College (SPSCC), said enrollment in BEdA programs has increased significantly at her college, particularly in English language classes. SPSCC's program, she said, helps students plan their next steps and choose a career field wisely.

“We actually require students to enroll in pathways classes that allow them time to explore and choose a pathway that they may want to go towards for employment or for further education," she said. Barber also pointed out that SPSCC has 10 pathways  and has embedded I-BEST in every pathway.

Barber also expressed gratitude for the Legislature’s investments in English language instruction for new arrivals to the United States, a sentiment shared by Anna Grapeniuk, a student at SPSCC. Grapeniuk earned a master’s degree from a university in Ukraine but moved to the United States after Russia invaded her country.  

“These classes give me great opportunity to improve my English and immerse in American culture. And [I] also met a lot of people from different countries, heard their stories and learned their culture too,”  said Grapeniuk. She said she is considering studying cybersecurity after learning more about the field in "pathways" classes. 

Maria Santos, also a student at SPSCC, shared her experience in the High School+ program. “I am originally from Guam. My parents came here with nothing to take care of my grandmother, which led to a lot of struggle and hardship ... Being able to be in a better place now and to advance my knowledge and to gain a diploma is self gratification for me. And not only for me, but being a better example for my children …. The program benefits me by making a smooth transition on understanding the programs that they do offer and the degrees that I can earn and the transition after I do get my diploma.”

Non-tenure track faculty

The committee also heard testimony on a bill that would require community and technical colleges to adopt a policy by July 1, 2026 that no more than 45% of courses would be taught by non-tenure track faculty by July 1, 2030. If passed, SB 5397 would also require the State Board to report to the Legislature the steps colleges have taken to meet the legislation’s requirements and annual percentages taught by non-tenure track faculty.

“There's a good place for an adjunct faculty, but one of the things I really like about our community colleges is the ability to have a better relationship between teacher and student,” Sen. Bill Ramos, the bill’s prime sponsor, said. “We need to have a majority of them being able to really connect with our students on campus and do the work that they do in a great way.”

Julie Huss, human resources director for the State Board, supported the intent behind the bill, but cautioned senators about setting a specific percentage requirement.

“The policy consideration to have more tenured faculty on our campus is positive and supported as it creates continuity and programs and for student learning,” she said. “Requiring a specific minimum percentage does not take into consideration the unique realities that individual colleges have for specific student and program needs, as well as budget considerations or constraints that exist.”

Trustees confirmed by Senate

The Senate this week confirmed three trustees to the boards of their colleges:

Coming up next week

Heading into its fifth week, committees are expected to take up bills on the Workforce Education Investment Act, adding a student member to the State Board, and establishing a virtual campus for all Washingtonians.