business backgrounder | education & workforce
“ Running Start is a terrific way for students, parents and the state to save money on college costs. We’ re grateful the Legislature pulled through for our Running Start students last session.”
— Ruben Flores, policy associate overseeing the state’ s dual-credit programs, State Board for Community and Technical Colleges
Running Start students receive all the same services as other college students. Students not only earn credits, they also receive tutoring, disability services, advising and access to clubs and events. The state’ s $ 5,800 investment in Running Start students at community and technical colleges goes far, but for now does not cover student fees, according to Ruben Flores, policy associate overseeing the state’ s dual-credit programs at the State Board for Community and Technical Colleges.
While most Running Start students are enrolled at community and technical colleges, the program is also available at Central Washington University, Eastern Washington University, Washington State University and Northwest Indian College.
running start, dual-credit programs are a success
The state’ s Education Research and Data Center reports that roughly 76 percent of Running Start students who graduated from high school in 2014-15 enrolled in a two- or four-year college after high school, compared to roughly 55 percent of students who did not take Running Start courses. Other studies corroborate the data. A study that tracked 200,000 students in Running Start and similar dual-enrollment programs over six years beginning in 2010 and conducted by the Community College Research Center at Teachers College, Columbia University, found highschool students in Running Start completed a college degree or certificate well above the U. S. average. A majority of those students received a bachelor’ s degree.
“ The data we have for Running Start students is that they have remained at about a 91 percent pass rate for their courses,” said Flores.“ In fact, those students have a higher completion rate in their courses than the general student population.”
parents, students benefit from running start
Melissa McCabe Gombosky, a parent of students in the Olympia School District, said her oldest son, Devin, was ready for a challenge beyond the high school. Running Start was the right program for him, she said.
“ Devin enjoyed the academic challenge of Running Start at the local community college and was able to earn college credits toward his bachelor’ s degree. He was challenged academically, and it prepared him for a successful transition to Western Washington University,” Gombosky said.“ Our son lived in the freshman dorm at the university this year but is academically a junior in college at 19 years old.”
She also noted that she and her husband were pleased to see the money they saved for college go further.
“ College is so expensive, so the free credits provided through the Running Start program were welcome,” she said.“ Our son earned his associate degree without cost to our family.”
Gombosky isn’ t alone. The Seattle Times reports that last year alone, 3,111 students earned associate degrees along with their high-school diplomas, saving themselves and their families up to $ 39 million combined in college tuition.
Mike Ennis, one of AWB’ s government affairs directors, said the Running Start program was a good academic match for his oldest daughter, Camryn, who will enter Whitworth College in Spokane this fall as a junior.
However, one thing Ennis said parents should consider is that if their child completes the two-year program, they head to college as a junior. That means they are required to declare a major, something recent high school graduates may not be prepared to do.
hard-fought legislative victory
Lawmakers had 60 days to wrap up their work this year, including passing a supplemental state operating budget.
With an especially large number of bills debated, the budget agreement came down to the wire. The final budget agreement preserved a multi-million-dollar commitment to Running Start— an investment supported by AWB, education advocates, colleges and parents.
“ The value of Running Start goes beyond helping students accelerate their college careers,” said Amy Anderson, AWB government affairs director for education and workforce issues.“ It offers students the opportunity to see the many
“ Devin enjoyed the academic challenge of Running Start at the local community college and was able to earn college credits toward his bachelor’ s degree. He was challenged academically, and it prepared him for a successful transition to Western Washington University.”
— Melissa McCabe Gombosky, parent of a Running Start student
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