Reykdal wants to remove barriers for high school achievements
By Terry Murry on Friday, October 7th, 2022 in Columbia Basin News More Top Stories
OLYMPIA – Cost, a longstanding barrier for Washington students looking to earn college credit or industry-recognized credentials while in high school, would be eliminated under a budget proposal submitted this week by Washington Superintendent of Public Instruction Chris Reykdal.
The proposal would remove out-of-pocket costs charged to students and their families for College in the High School, Running Start, advanced placement, international Baccalaureate, and Cambridge Assessment International Education. The proposal would also provide funding to support student participation in career and technical education dual credit programs and attainment of state-approved, industry-recognized credentials.
“The goal of our education system is to prepare all of our students for their post-secondary aspirations, whatever they may be,” Reykdal said. “Removing this financial barrier will provide more students with the opportunity to graduate with college credit or an industry recognized credential, setting them up for success.”
To remove costs for students and their families, the Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction is requesting $99 million in the 2023–25 biennium, which would provide equitable access to dual credit, make credential attainment more affordable for high school students and their families, and help to close the 14.5 percent participation gap between students from low-income families and their peers from middle- and higher-income families.
