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Lawmakers seek to bridge state’s higher education system to the middle-class jobs of tomorrow

Joint effort seeks to streamline and transform system to expand access and prepare students for the 21st century

For immediate release
February 17, 2009

OLYMPIA – Lawmakers, students and local business leaders came together Tuesday to discuss transforming the state’s higher education programs for a changing economy and the need for vocational skills for the 21st century.

Recognizing the strain of the state budget, lawmakers are proposing several bills that will work in concert to increase access through financial aid, boost the economy by focusing on degree and education programs needed in today’s evolving job market, and help more people tap into the system for less money by streamlining on-line programs.

“This might be the silver-lining on an otherwise somber economic situation,” said Rep. Deb Wallace (D-Vancouver), Chair of the House Higher Education Committee. “Washington state colleges have a real opportunity here to prepare our students to compete in a global marketplace.”

The first priority will be making it easier for students to get into college. Rep. Phyllis Gutiérrez Kenney (D-Seattle), Sen. Derek Kilmer (D-Gig Harbor) and Wallace are all sponsoring measures to streamline and coordinate existing financial aid programs. Kenney is spearheading legislation to coordinate state grant and scholarship programs under the single brand of Opportunity Grant (HB 2021).

“Access to education is about knowing what classes you need to take, where to go, how to pay for it, and ultimately finding the support systems to make it all happen,” says Kenney. “That’s where we come in.”

Bills by Kenney and Wallace are also in the works to give younger students a leg up toward their higher education goals through advancements in Running Start, College in the High School and other similar programs.

Roxanne Garcia, a freshman at the University of Washington who grew up with a single mother with only a ninth-grade education, is an example of why these programs are so critical.

“Before I started to think about what dorm life would be like or if I needed a GPS to navigate the campus, my mom and me asked the question that many prospective college students ask – how am I going to pay for this?”

This plan will also put a renewed emphasis on preparing students for the workplace of the 21st century and supporting training for middle-class jobs. Budget dollars will go directly toward an emphasis of enrollment in high-demand vocations, while schools will strengthen their relationships with employers in these fields. House Bill 1906 and Senate Bills 5809, 5044, 5554, and 5616 will expand internships, work-study and additional worker training programs.

“The idea is to develop a pipeline between colleges and employers,” said Kilmer, Chair of the Senate Higher Education and Workforce Development Committee. “That will enable us to keep our best and brightest right here in Washington and they will enter the workforce ready on day one.”

Susannah Malarky, Executive Director of the Technology Alliance, agrees that there is untapped potential in partnering with the business community. “We need to align higher education with where the jobs are. That’s what we need to do and how we can spend our money most wisely.”

In addition to helping more students pay for college and focusing on lawmakers are seeking to stretch the state’s dollar through streamlining the use of technology and improving coordination and accountability.

Rep. Reuven Carlyle (D-Seattle) is offering legislation that radically improves the use of shared technology including online eLearning, financial aid portals, library resources, web conferencing and more (HB 1946).

Senator Fred Jarrett (D-Mercer Island) wants to tighten the connection between the Legislature and higher education institutions by improving coordination and ensuring a connection between the state’s higher education master plan and the needs of the state’s economy (SB 5316).

“These measures will ensure that Washington leads the way when it comes to preparing our students for success in an ever-changing and demanding work environment,” said Jarrett.

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Watch the press conference (courtesy of TVW):