To meet the second major legislative deadline this Friday – to move fiscal related bills – the Senate Ways & Means Committee heard sixteen bills this afternoon.

Two bills heard by the Committee today, in particular, would directly impact higher education – Senate Bill 5616 and Senate Bill 5569.

Senate Bill 5616 requires all public high schools in the state to work toward the goal of offering a sufficient number of high school courses to give students the opportunity to earn the equivalent of one year’s worth of postsecondary credit and must inform students and their families about these opportunities.

In addition, the bill requires institutions of higher education to develop a master list of postsecondary courses that can be fulfilled, for lower division general education requirements, by achieving an agreed-upon score on Advanced Placement, International Baccalaureate, or other recognized college-level proficiency exams or by meeting demonstrated competencies.

The Evergreen State College is working with staff to include similar language to that included in the House companion bill which would provide language to ensure institutions of higher education who provide an alternative approach to teaching and learning are encompassed.

Senate Bill 5569 would make changes to postretirement employment provisions for Plan 1 of the Teachers Retirement System (TRS 1). Specifically the postretirement employment provisions of Plan 1 of TRS 1 would apply when a retired member enters service with either an institution of higher education in an instructional capacity or any school or educational service district. Postretirement employment of in non-instructional position in an institutionof higher education are not restricted.

The Evergreen State College signed-in to support SB 5616 but did not testify. Evergreen took no position on SB 5569.