Monthly Archives: February 2011

Washington Legislature Passes Supplemental

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The Washington Legislature passed the supplemental budget that would make reductions to the current fiscal budget this morning. The Governor is expected to sign the legislation this afternoon.

The supplemental budget reduces funds to the State Need Grant by $25.4 million and requires the public two-year and four-year institutions to use locally held funds to provide a commensurate amount of aid to eligible students who would have received state need grant payments. The reduction to Evergreen is an additional $368,000.

In addition,  funding reductions were made to Workforce Employment and Training (ESD) ($318,000) and the following HECB programs and services ($632,000): (1) College Readiness Program, (2) Health Sciences and Services Authority (HSSA), (3) student financial aid administration, and (4) the Technology Transformation Task Force.

First Deadline Passes and Next Deadline Nears in Legislature

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This week marked the  first deadline in the 2011 legislative session. All House policy committees must have moved bills either to an appropriations committee or the floor by end of Thursday.  The Senate’s first deadline is Monday, February 21.

House Higher Education Committee

This week the House Higher Education Committee passed several bills, including two bills that would impact higher education tuition, financial aid, and accountability policies.

The substitute to House Bill 1795 – Higher Education Opportunity Act – adds statements about the state’s commitment to public funding and provides for tuition-setting authority by four year institutions for all students for four years, academic years 2011 through 2014 with the caveat that if institutions exceed tuition levels as follows: UW, WSU and WWU – 11% per year and TESC, CWU and EWU – 9% per year, they must provide financial aid to middle income students with the express purpose of mitigating the increases in tuition.

The bill also adds the  NGA Complete to Compete metrics with the addition of graduate and professional degrees, STEM and participation and completion for underrepresented students in STEM. Finally the bill requires a dashboard be developed on the Office of Financial Management’s website, requires changes in current financial aid criteria, establishes the Baccalaureate Degree Innovation program, and repeals performance agreements.

The Committee also moved HB 1666 which includes the recommendations from the Governor’s Task Force. The substitute that passed out of committee includes several changes to the bill.

The substitute passed out of committee makes several key changes to the funding mechanism in the bill, including changing the the date for increased flexibility for tuition-setting authority for the public baccalaureate institutions to the 2011-2012 academic year rather than the 2013-2014 academic year and changing the operating budget baseline year for funding higher education to fiscal year 2008 rather than 2011.

Senate Higher Education

This week the Senate Higher Education & Workforce Committee passed several bills this week, including the bill that includes the Governor’s Task Force recommendations for higher education and legislation that would alter how higher education is structured in Washington.

Senate Bill 5182 would eliminate the Higher Education Coodinating Board  (HECB) and create the Council for Performance and Accountability in Higher Education. The Council membership includes the six four-year institution presidents, one private nonprofit president, the executive director of the SBCTC, and a community or technical college president, or their designees.

The purpose of the council is to develop performance-based measures and goals for each state university, regional university, and the state college, linked to the role, mission, and strategic plan of the institution of higher education including (a) indicators and goals that measure outcomes concerning cost, quality, and timeliness of student progress toward degrees and certifications; (b) benchmarks and goals for long-term degree production, including discrete benchmarks and goals in particular fields of study; (c) the level of resources necessary to meet the performance outcomes, benchmarks, and goals, subject to legislative appropriation; (d) indicators and goals that measure outcomes concerning recruitment, retention, and success of students from diverse, underrepresented communities; and (e) a system of consequences for exceeding or for failing to achieve the goals or benchmarks. In addition the Council would perform the essential state governance functions previously assigned to the HECB.

The bill also creates the Office of Student Financial Assistance (Office) that administers all state and federal financial aid and the advanced college tuition payment program. The Office is under the supervision of the Council.

The Committee also moved SB 5717 which includes the recommendations from the Governor’s Task Force.

The substitute that passed out of committee includes several changes to the bill. The primary change is the elimination of the Washington Pledge Scholarship provisions. In addition the proposed bill adds three new accountability factors; requires institutions of higher education to report enrollments, completion ratios, and market penetration; and requires the HECB to analyze performance data and reports eachinstitution’s performance improvement under the baccalaureate degree incentive program.

Next Steps

Next week the Legislature will focus on the appropriation committees in both chambers (i.e. Senate Ways & Means, House Ways & Mean, and House Education Appropriations). Appropriation committees must move bills out of committee and to the floor by Friday, February 25.

To find out the status of legislation introduced this session be sure to check out either the Washington Legislature’s website or Evergreen’s bill tracking.

Supplemental Budget Agreement Reached

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Late today the Washington Senate and House reached a tentative agreement on reductions to the current fiscal budget.

The  budget agreement reduces funds to the State Need Grant by $25.4 million and requires the public two-year and four-year institutions to use locally held funds to provide a commensurate amount of aid to eligible students who would have received state need grant payments. The reduction to Evergreen is $368,000.

In addition,  funding reductions were made to Workforce Employment and Training (ESD) ($318,000) and the following HECB programs and services ($632,000): (1) College Readiness Program, (2) Health Sciences and Services Authority (HSSA), (3) student financial aid administration, and (4) the Technology Transformation Task Force.

The agreement also:

  • Makes $242 million in reductions and $125 million in transfers
  • Maintains the Disability Lifeline cash grant at 50 percent of the current amount
  • Limits the Children’s Health Program eligibility to families at 200 percent of the federal poverty level, and allows families between 201 and 300 percent of FPL to buy in at full cost; does not freeze admittance
  • Limits Basic Health Plan eligibility to individuals eligible for a Medicaid waiver
  • Makes no transfer of local liquor profits

The supplemental budget  – HB 1086 – was referred to a Senate-House conference committee after the House chose not to go along with changes made by the Senate earlier this month. As a conference bill, it cannot be amended by either chamber prior to a vote, which could be as soon as Friday in the Senate

U.S. House Begins Debate on Bill to Reduce the Pell Grant

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Today the U.S. House of Representatives began debate on H.R. 1, a stop-gap spending bill that would fund the federal government for the rest of FY2011 after the current continuing resolution expires on March 4.

H.R. 1, introduced last week, would cut discretionary-funded maximum awards for the Pell Grant from $4,860 to $4,105.  When the mandatory funds ($690) are considered the 2011-12 maximum Pell Grant award would be $4,705. This is a 15% decrease from 2010-11.

In addition the bill provides no funding for the Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (FSEOG) and the Leveraging Educational Assistance Partnership (LEAP). Both programs provide financial grants to students who qualify for financial aid.

The bill also reduces President Obama’s proposed FY11 budget request by $100 billion.

This week members of the U.S. House are introducing and debating amendments to H.R. 1.  To date nearly 400 amendments have been proposed, most of which call for greater reductions.  It is expected that the House could vote on the bill as early as this Thursday.

Senate Appropriations Committee Hears Higher Education Related Legislation

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This afternoon Senate Ways & Means heard a series of bills that would impact higher education.

Senate Bill 5758  streamlines the management of tuition and trust funds dedicated to maintenance and small capital projects at Central Washington, Eastern Washington, and Western Washington Universities, and The Evergreen State College.

Steve Trotter, Executive Director for Operational Planning and Budget for The Evergreen State College, testified in support of SB 5758 along with a representative for CWU, EWU, and WWU.  The Office of Financial Management testified with concerns.

In addition, the Committee heard SB 5304 and SB 5576.  Senate Bill 5304 would require the Caseload Forecast Council to  forecast the anticipated number of students eligible for the State Need Grant Program and the College Bound Scholarship Program who are also expected to attend an institution of higher education and to submit these forecasts to the Governor and the members of the legislative fiscal committees; and Senate Bill 5576 streamlines the management of tuition and trust funds dedicated to maintenance and small capital projects at the University of Washington and Washington State University.

The Evergreen State College signed-in, in support of both SB 5576 and SB 5304.

Finally, the Committee heard Senate Bill 5518 which would mandate that employees of state agencies or political subdivisions may only be paid by electronic transfer to an employee’s account at the employee’s designated financial institution. Each employee must designate such an account in order to receive payment. The Evergreen State College took no position on this bill.

Senate Higher Education Committee Hears Legislation

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This morning the Senate Higher Education & Workforce Development Committee considered several bills. 

The Committee held a public hearing on five bills ranging from the establishment of the University Center of North Puget Sound to the development of common course numbering for two- and four-year institutions.

Senate Bill 5654 would require the Higher Education Coordinating Board and the State Board for Community and Technical Colleges convene representatives from each of the institutions of higher education, to establish a single set of common course numbers and common course descriptions for all common lower division courses at all institutions of higher education.

Evergreen testified with concerns on SB 5654 because Evergreen does not offer courses and does not have course numbers. Instead, the College offers single, comprehensive programs rather than a series of separate courses.  In addition, we expressed concern that if directed to adopt courses and a numbering system, Evergreen would greatly restrict the transfer policy that is currently in place.

Senate Bill 5608  would require Western Washington University to coordinate and participate with Olympic College, Everett Community College, Skagit Valley College, Whatcom Community College, Bellingham Technical College, Northwest Indian College to provide a program that leverages the leadership of returning veterans. The Evergreen State College signed-in, in support of the bill.

Senate Bill 5719 would fix tuition for students who identify as individuals with disabilities under the federal Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). The Council of Presidents testified in opposition to SB 5719 with the primary concern being fiscal. The bill would reduce tuition revenues for institutions that would negatively impact the education and service  provided to all students.  The Evergreen State College signed-in opposed.

Finally the Committee held public hearings on two additional bills that Evergreen took no position on. Senate Bill 5674 would create the aerospace training student loan program.

Senate Bill 5636 would create the University Center of North Puget Sound. The bill assigns management and leadership of the University Center at Everett Community College to WSU to meet demands for baccalaureate and graduate degrees in Everrett, north Snohomish Island, and Skagit counties and Washington, particularly in high employer demand programs of study.

Obama’s FY12 Budget Seeks to Protect Education

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Yesterday, President Obama released his proposed federal budget for FY12.  The budget makes several investments in education and proposes some changes to the Pell in order to fund the grant at the current maximum level.

Higher Education Programs

The Administration’s 2012 request includes $2.3 billion for Higher Education Programs to help achieve the President’s goal of significantly increasing the percentage of Americans with postsecondary degrees or industry-recognized certificates.

A key priority for 2012 is a $150 million request for the Fund for the Improvement of Postsecondary Education (FIPSE) to support the “First in the World” competition. This proposal, which would be modeled after the i3 program for K-12 education, would provide incentives and rewards for innovation and building evidence of what works to reduce costs and improve outcomes in postsecondary education.

In addition the proposed budget would prioritize:

  • A $40 million request for first-time funding for the Hawkins Centers of Excellence program to increase the talent pool of effective minority educators by expanding and reforming teacher education programs at minority-serving institutions (MSIs).
  • A $484.8 million request in discretionary funding for the Aid for Institutional Development programs. The request would strengthen institutions of higher education that serve high proportions of minority and disadvantaged students, including Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) and Historically Black Graduate Institutions (HBGIs), by improving their academic programs, institutional capacity, and student supports. The budget also provides $117.4 million for the Developing Hispanic-serving Institutions program.
  • A $920.1 million request to support college preparation and completion activities for participants in the Federal TRIO Programs, as well as $323.2 million to serve an estimated 756,000 middle and high school students preparing for college through Gaining Early Awareness and Readiness for Undergraduate Programs (GEAR UP).
  • A $125.9 million request  for the International Education and Foreign Language Studies programs, which help meet the Nation’s security and economic needs through the development of expertise in foreign languages and area and international studies.
  • A  $40.7 million request for merit- and need-based scholarships and fellowships to postsecondary students under Graduate Assistance in Areas of National Need (GAANN) programs.

Student Financial Assistance

The 2012 request would ensure that Pell Grants will be available to all eligible students through a combination of mandatory savings to offset rising Pell demand and changes in the Pell program that would reduce current and future costs. Proposed mandatory savings include the elimination of interest subsidies for graduate student loans and providing an opportunity for students with multiple loan servicers to convert their student debt to a single loan holder, while the elimination of the “two Pells” provision, which effectively made many students eligible for two Pell Grants in a single award year, would achieve significant cost savings. The 2012 request also would expand the Perkins Loans program and simplify access to student financial aid.

In addition, the 2012 budget includes a new College Completion Incentive Grants program that would make grants to States to encourage colleges to help students enroll in school and finish their studies with a degree or certificate and to reward institutions that produce successful outcomes. Finally, a new Presidential Teaching Fellows program would support K-12 education by recruiting and preparing talented students for the teaching profession through top-tier teacher preparation programs.

House Higher Education Hears Legislation that Would Expand the System

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This morning the House Higher Education Committee held a hearing on two bills that if implemented would expand the current higher education system.

House Bill 1792 would creates the University Center of North Puget Sound. The bill assigns management and leadership of the University Center at Everett Community College to WSU to meet demands for baccalaureate and graduate degrees in Everrett, north Snohomish Island, and Skagit counties and Washington, particularly in high employer demand programs of study.

House Bill 1822 would establish the first nonprofit online university in Washington – the Western Governors University (WGU). In particular the bill expresses the intent of the state to partner with WGU to establish Western Governors University-Washington and provide enhanced access to postsecondary education for all Washington students, including dislocated workers and place bound students. Passage of this bill would result in the recognition of WGU-Washington theref as a Washington baccalaureate degree-granting institution that is self-supporting.

In addition, the bill requires the Higher Education Coordinating Board (HECB) recognize and endorse online, competency-based education, work to eliminate unnecessary barriers to the delivery of online, competency-based education and work with a regionally accredited not-for-profit online baccalaureate degree-granting institution of higher education to integrate its academic programs and services into state policy and strategy.The Evergreen State College did not weigh-in on either bill.

The Committee also heard House Bill 1808 which would require all public high schools, within existing resources, 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.

The bill also requires actions on part of higher education. The legislation states that institutions of higher education must develop a master list of postsecondary courses that can be fulfilled by achieving an agreed-upon score on a proficiency exam or by meeting demonstrated competencies. The bill also requires the following:

  • Each institution must publicize its own list of qualifying courses and distribute it to the HECB and the State Board for Community and Technical Colleges in a form that the Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction can distribute to school districts.
  • The HECB  must annually publish on its website the agreed-upon list of high school courses qualifying for postsecondary credit and the exam scores and demonstrated competencies meeting postsecondary requirements.

No further action was taken on any of the bills heard by the Committee this morning.

Some Proposed Federal Cuts Announced

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Yesterday, House Appropriations Committee Chairman Hal Rogers (R-KY) unveiled a partial list of cuts that will be included in the new Continuing Resolution. The current Continuing Resolution is set to expire on March 4.

No education programs are on the partial list, but the committee has proposed $6.6 billion in cuts to the Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education programs.  

  • Flood Control and Coastal Emergencies   -$30M
  • Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy   -$899M
  • Electricity Delivery and Energy Reliability   -$49M
  • Nuclear Energy   -$169M
  • Fossil Energy Research   -$31M
  • Clean Coal Technology   -$18M
  • Strategic Petroleum Reserve   -$15M
  • Energy Information Administration   -$34M
  • Office of Science   -$1.1B
  • Power Marketing Administrations   -$52
  • Department of Treasury   -$268M
  • Internal Revenue Service   -$593M
  • Treasury Forfeiture Fund   -$338M
  • GSA Federal Buildings Fund   -$1.7B
  • ONDCP   -$69M
  • International Trade Administration   -$93M
  • Economic Development Assistance   -$16M
  • Minority Business Development Agency   -$2M
  • National Institute of Standards and Technology   -$186M
  • NOAA   -$336M
  • National Drug Intelligence Center   -$11M
  • Law Enforcement Wireless Communications   -$52M
  • US Marshals Service   -$10M
  • FBI   -$74M
  • State and Local Law Enforcement Assistance   -$256M
  •  Juvenile Justice   -$2.3M
  • COPS   -$600M
  • NASA   -$379
  • NSF   -$139M
  • Legal Services Corporation   -$75M
  • EPA   -$1.6B
  • Food Safety and Inspection Services   -$53M
  • Farm Service Agency   -$201M
  • Agriculture Research   -$246M
  • Natural Resource Conservation Service   -$46M
  • Rural Development Programs   -$237M
  • WIC   -$758M
  • International Food Aid grants   -$544M
  • FDA   -$220
  • Land and Water Conservation Fund   -$348M
  • National Archives and Record Service   -$20M
  • DOE Loan Guarantee Authority   -$1.4B
  •  EPA ENERGY STAR   -$7.4M
  • EPA GHG Reporting Registry   -$9M
  • USGS   -$27M
  • EPA Cap and Trade Technical Assistance   -$5M
  • EPA State and Local Air Quality Management   -$25M
  • Fish and Wildlife Service   -$72M
  • Smithsonian   -$7.3M
  • National Park Service   -$51M
  • Clean Water State Revolving Fund   -$700M
  • Drinking Water State Revolving Fund   -$250M
  • EPA Brownfields   -$48M
  • Forest Service   -$38M
  • National Endowment for the Arts   -$6M
  • National Endowment for the Humanities   -$6M
  • Job Training Programs  -$2B
  • Community Health Centers  -$1.3B
  • Maternal and Child Health Block Grants  -$210M
  • Family Planning  -$327M
  • Poison Control Centers  -$27M
  • CDC   -$755M
  • NIH   -$1B
  • Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services   -$96M
  • LIHEAP Contingency fund   -$400M
  • Community Services Block Grant   -$405M
  • High Speed Rail   -$1B
  • FAA Next Gen   -$234M
  • Amtrak   -$224M
  • HUD Community Development Fund   -$530M

Congress will likely begin the FY2012 budget process soon after the President releases his budget request on Feb. 14. 

The U.S. Department of Education will hold a briefing on the President’s FY2012 Budget Request on Monday, Feb. 14  at noon eastern time. For the first time, the Department will broadcast the briefing online.

President Obama to Release FY12 Budget Next Week

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Next Tuesday, February 15, President Obama is expected to release his fiscal year (FY) 2012 budget request to the 112th Congress. 

The budget will contain proposed funding levels for student aid programs for the academic year 2012-2013. Many of these funding proposals face proposed reductions.

The release of the FY12 federal budget will be the first step of a lengthy and complex annual budget process that will last through July 2011.

It is important to note that Congress has yet to resolve the FY11 budget.  As a result, the federal government is funded by a Continuing Resolution that is set to expire on March 4. Upon its expiration Congress must pass either another resolution or an omnibus spending bill that contains all 12 appropriations bills.

Under this timeline FY11 and FY12 budget negotiations will occur at the same time. The