P-16 Education

The goal of P-16 education is to prepare students for a successful education from pre-school through college graduation. The Higher Education Coordinating Board is well-positioned to play a leadership role in this policy area. By state law, we are charged with establishing the minimum requirements for admission to Washington’s public four-year universities and colleges. We also oversee state and federal grant programs including the federal GEAR UP grant, and Improving Teacher Quality grants to improve teacher training and preparation in Washington.

Over the next year, we will be collaborating with our K-12 and higher education partners on the following P-16 initiatives:

Minimum College Admissions Standards

Evaluating minimum requirements for admission to Washington's public four-year colleges and universities. As part of this work, we also will be examining issues, such as integrated classes (e.g. world history/world literature), competency-based coursework, applied courses (e.g. automotive physics), and dual credit programs (e.g. College in the High School and Running Start).

Teacher Training and Preparation

• Ensuring that colleges of education in Washington are effectively training K-12 teachers to teach to the education reform requirements.
• Managing a competitive federal grant program to train practicing teachers, highly trained paraprofessionals, and principals using research-based strategies.
• Overseeing the state teacher training pilot projects, designed to stimulate innovation and training of K-12 public school teachers and encourage communities to “grow” their own teachers.

Reports

Collaborative Efforts to Improve Student Transitions: House Bill 3103 Progress Report (February 2005)

2003-2005 Teacher Training Pilot Program Grants: Final Report to the Legislature (January 2005)

State Laws

State Statute - RCW 28B.76.330

For more information, contact:
Ricardo Sanchez
Phone: 360.753.7833