_______________________________________________
SUBSTITUTE
HOUSE BILL 1580
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AS
AMENDED BY THE SENATE
Passed
Legislature - 1993 Regular Session
State of Washington 53rd
Legislature 1993 Regular Session
By
Read
first time 03/03/93.
Requiring strategies to shorten time to degree and improve graduation
rates.
AN ACT Relating to higher education; and adding
new sections to chapter 28B.10 RCW.
BE
IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:
NEW SECTION. Sec. 1.
The legislature finds that, in public colleges and universities, improvement is
needed in graduation rates and in the length of time required for students to
attain their educational objectives. The legislature also finds that public
colleges and universities should offer classes in a way that will permit
full-time students to complete a degree or certificate program in about the
amount of time described in the institution's catalog as necessary to complete
that degree or certificate program.
NEW SECTION. Sec. 2.
(1) By May 15, 1994, each state institution of higher education, as part of its
strategic plan, shall adopt strategies designed to shorten the time required
for students to complete a degree or certificate and to improve the graduation
rate for all students.
(2) Beginning with the fall 1995-96 academic
term, each institution of higher education as defined in RCW 28B.10.016 shall
implement the strategies described in subsection (1) of this section.
NEW SECTION. Sec. 3.
(1) By May 30, 1994, each public four-year institution of higher education
shall forward to the higher education coordinating board for its review and
comment, certain preliminary components of the institution's strategic plan.
The components shall include strategies to improve student graduation rates and
shorten the time needed for students to obtain a baccalaureate degree.
(2) By September 30, 1994, the state board for
community and technical colleges will forward to the higher education
coordinating board for its review and comment, a report on the strategies
adopted by community and technical colleges to speed the progress of students
towards their educational goals and to shorten the time needed for students to
obtain a degree or certificate.
(3) By December 15, 1994, the higher education
coordinating board shall report to the governor and the higher education
committees of the house of representatives and senate on its review of
strategies designed to improve graduation rates and shorten the time needed for
students to obtain a degree or certificate. The report shall include an
analysis of system-wide strategies and recommendations for any legislation
necessary to assist institutions with the implementation of their plans.
NEW SECTION. Sec. 4.
Each institution of higher education as defined in RCW 28B.10.016 may enter
into a student progression understanding with an interested student. The terms
of the understanding shall permit a student to obtain a degree or certificate
within the standard period of time assumed for a full-time student pursuing
that degree or certificate. Usually, the standard amount of time will be about
two years for an associate of arts degree and about four years for a
baccalaureate degree. Student progression understandings shall not give rise
to any cause of action on behalf of any student as a result of the failure of
any state institution of higher education to fulfill its obligations under the
student progression understanding.
NEW SECTION. Sec. 5.
Sections 1 through 4 of this act are each added to chapter 28B.10 RCW.
