The House Higher Education Committee met this morning for a work session focused on the Interim and next steps.

Members of the Committee shared their thoughts about the session and concepts and potential legislation they would bring forward in the next biennium. Among the issues and ideas expressed was support for further work on the concept of Pay It Forward, concern about the increasing cost of education highlighting student debt and increasing costs at the institutions, support for continuing the work on efficiencies with the four- and two-year institutions, implementation of a performance funding framework for the public baccalaureates, remedial education, and support for providing more room and flexibility for institutions to innovate.

The second half of the work session the Committee heard about the work of stakeholders in the Interim. The Washington Student Achievement Council (WASAC), Council of Presidents, Workforce Board, State Board for Community and Technical Colleges, Independent Colleges of Washington, Northwest Career College Federation, Council of Faculty Representatives, Washington Education Association, American Federation of Teachers, Washington Student Association and institutions all shared their thoughts.

Paul Francis, Executive Director, The Council of Presidents, thanked the committee for their passion for higher education and invited members to visit the public baccalaureate institutions. Francis highlighted the work of the Council in statewide conversations in the upcoming Interim including the participation on the WASAC Board and with advisory committees, partnering with the Legislature to further efficiency legislation, support for a deeper and comprehensive conversation focused on financial aid, and work with Washington Results.