(1) The office of the superintendent of public instruction, in collaboration with the state board for community and technical colleges, the Washington state apprenticeship and training council, the workforce training and education coordinating board, the *higher education coordinating board, and the public baccalaureate institutions, shall report by September 1, 2010, and annually thereafter to the education and higher education committees of the legislature regarding participation in dual credit programs. The report shall include:

     (a) Data about student participation rates and academic performance including but not limited to running start, college in the high school, tech prep, international baccalaureate, advanced placement, and running start for the trades;

     (b) Data on the total unduplicated head count of students enrolled in at least one dual credit program course; and

     (c) The percentage of students who enrolled in at least one dual credit program as percent of all students enrolled in grades nine through twelve.

     (2) Data on student participation shall be disaggregated by race, ethnicity, gender, and receipt of free or reduced-price lunch.

[2009 c 450 § 2.]

NOTES:

     *Reviser's note: The higher education coordinating board was abolished by 2011 1st sp.s. c 11 § 301, effective July 1, 2012.

     Findings -- Intent -- 2009 c 450: "(1) The legislature finds that the economy of the state of Washington requires a well-prepared workforce. To meet the need, more Washington students need to be prepared for postsecondary education and training. Further, the personal enrichment and success of Washington citizens increasingly relies on their ability to use the state's postsecondary education and training system. To accomplish those ends, the legislature desires to increase the number of students who begin earning college credits while still in high school.

     (2) The legislature further finds that dual credit programs introduce students to college-level work, provide a jump start on getting a college degree, and, perhaps most importantly, show students that they can succeed in college. Dual credit programs also provide another avenue of student financial aid, since many programs are offered for little or no cost to students.

     (3) The legislature also finds that students must be provided a choice when selecting a dual credit program that is right for them. Options should be available for the student who wants to learn on a college campus and the student who wants to stay at the high school and take college-level courses. Options must also be available for the hands-on learner who seeks to complete an apprenticeship program.

     (4) The legislature intends to blur the line between high school and college by articulating a vision to dramatically increase participation in dual credit programs. It is for this reason that the legislature should call on all education stakeholders to come together to coordinate resources, track outcomes, and improve program availability.

     (5) The legislature further intends to provide high schools, colleges, and universities with a set of tools for growing and coordinating dual credit programs. Institutions should be given some flexibility in determining the best methods to secure long-term, ample financial support for these programs, while students should be given some help in offsetting instructional costs." [2009 c 450 § 1.]