Washington Business Summer 2018 | Washington Business | Page 41

business backgrounder | education & workforce High School Students Get a Running Start Washington state’s nationally-recognized dual-credit program for high school juniors and seniors is 25 years old and more popular than ever. Bobbi Cussins For more than 26,000 students in their final two years of high school looking for more rigorous coursework and a jumpstart to their college career or post-high-school job opportunities, Washington state’s Running Start program is proving to be a good fit. For parents with students in the program, it’s also proving to be a good way to stretch college tuition savings accounts as the cost of higher education continues to grow. At A Glance Now in its 25th year, Running Start is a program that allows 11th and 12th grade students to take college courses at Washington’s 34 community and technical colleges. Students receive both high school credit and up to 15 college credits for the classes, which accelerates their progress as they enter the state’s higher education system or the workforce. Running Start students and their families do not pay tuition, but are responsible for mandatory fees, books and transportation. Washington is facing a growing need for workers — as many as 740,000 — with a post-secondary certificate or degree. To fill that gap, the state’s educational institutions are partnering like never before and emphasizing dual-credit programs like Running Start for high school students as a way to accelerate their readiness for college and careers. Running Start is a program that allows 11th and 12th grade students who are on track to graduate to take college courses at Washington’s 34 community and technical colleges. Students receive high school credits and can earn as many as 15 college credits for the classes. Students and their families do not pay tuition for the program, but are responsible for mandatory fees, books and transportation. With 26,303 Running Start students enrolled at community and technical colleges, the push now is to build on the program’s success by ensuring ample funding and making the program accessible to a more diverse student population. Currently, 26,303 students are enrolled in Running Start, a number that has steadily increased over the past seven years. The cost per Running Start student is roughly $6,000, lower than the $9,000 cost for students in the general high school population. Running Start is overseen by the State Board for Community and Technical Colleges, the state Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction, the State Board of Education and the Washington Student Achievement Council. For more information on Running Start and other education issues, contact AWB Government Affairs Director Amy Anderson at 360.943.1600 or [email protected]. summer 2018 41