Running Start

"The Running Start Program was initiated by the Legislature as a component of the 1990 parent and student "Choice" Act (Chapter 9, Laws of 1990, 1st Ex. Sess.). It is intended to provide students a program option consisting of attendance at certain institutions of higher education and the simultaneous earning of high school and college/university credit."

SUBSTITUTE SENATE BILL 5289 (pdf file)

Homeschoolers have had accessed this program, earning college credits, with or without going for a high school diploma for many years.

This year schools no longer determine our grade level in order for us to apply. (rescinded 2007 - OSPI Bulletin 098-07)

Homeschoolers must:

1) Enroll in their high school (though do not attend),

2) have filed a Declaration of Intent to Homeschool the previous year,

3) 2007 changes send us back to school counselors to determine grade standing. See my note

To contact OSPI

Here are specific sections of the Running Start law;

* Definition of higher education (RCW 28A.600.300) - defines which

schools are considered for Running Start

* Rules - "rules shall be written to encourage the maximum use of the program and shall not narrow or limit the enrollment options

* Determination of high school credits

* Credit for both high school and college - does not apply to

homeschoolers

* High school students not displaced - once a student in is R.S., they

can not be displaced by other students

* Transmittal of funds - funding authorization. 2005-2006 Memorandum gives funding figures for full time students

* Information on enrollment - students are responsible for registering with

the college and public school students must notify their school

* Maximum terms of enrollment - amount of time allowed for taking

classes; Jr. standing, two years, Sr. standing, one year - this is per a

school year, fall to fall, not when a student enrolls

* Postsecondary credit - colleges may not charge for credits

* School district not responsible for transportation

RCW 28A.600.300

High school students' options -- Definition.

For the purposes of RCW 28A.600.310 through 28A.600.400, "participating institution of higher education" or "institution of higher education" means:

(1) A community or technical college as defined in RCW 28B.50.030; and

(2) Central Washington University, Eastern Washington University, Washington State University, and The Evergreen State College, if the institution's governing board decides to participate in the program in RCW 28A.600.310 through 28A.600.400.

[2002 c 80 § 1; 1994 c 205 § 1; 1990 1st ex.s. c 9 § 401.]

NOTES:

Finding -- Severability -- 1990 1st ex.s. c 9: See notes following RCW 28A.225.220

RCW 28A.600.390

High school students' options -- Rules.

The superintendent of public instruction, the state board for community and technical colleges, and the higher education coordinating board shall jointly develop and adopt rules governing RCW 28A.600.300 through 28A.600.380, if rules are necessary. The rules shall be written to encourage the maximum use of the program and shall not narrow or limit the enrollment options under RCW 28A.600.300 through 28A.600.380.

[1994 c 205 § 10; 1990 1st ex.s. c 9 § 410.]

NOTES:

Finding -- Severability -- 1990 1st ex.s. c 9: See notes following RCW 28A.225.220

RCW 28A.600.360

High school students' options -- Enrollment in postsecondary institution -- Determination of high school credits -- Application toward graduation requirements.

A school district shall grant academic credit to a pupil enrolled in a course for high school credit if the pupil successfully completes the course. If no comparable course is offered by the school district, the school district superintendent shall determine how many credits to award for the course. The determination shall be made in writing before the pupil enrolls in the course. The credits shall be applied toward graduation requirements and subject area requirements. Evidence of the successful completion of each course in an institution of higher education shall be included in the pupil's secondary school records and transcript. The transcript shall also note that the course was taken at an institution of higher education.

[1994 c 205 § 7; 1990 1st ex.s. c 9 § 407.]

NOTES:

Finding -- Severability -- 1990 1st ex.s. c 9: See notes following RCW 28A.225.220.

RCW 28A.600.310

High school students' options -- Enrollment in institutions of higher education -- Transmittal of funds.

(1) Eleventh and twelfth grade students or students who have not yet received a high school diploma or its equivalent and are eligible to be in the eleventh or twelfth grades may apply to a participating institution of higher education to enroll in courses or programs offered by the institution of higher education. However, students are eligible to enroll in courses or programs in participating universities only if the board of directors of the student's school district has decided to participate in the program. Participating institutions of higher education, in consultation with school districts, may establish admission standards for these students. If the institution of higher education accepts a secondary school pupil for enrollment under this section, the institution of higher education shall send written notice to the pupil and the pupil's school district within ten days of acceptance. The notice shall indicate the course and hours of enrollment for that pupil.

(2) The pupil's school district shall transmit to the institution of higher education an amount per each full-time equivalent college student at statewide uniform rates for vocational and nonvocational students. The superintendent of public instruction shall separately calculate and allocate moneys appropriated for basic education under RCW 28A.150.260 to school districts for purposes of making such payments and for granting school districts seven percent thereof to offset program related costs. The calculations and allocations shall be based upon the estimated statewide annual average per full-time equivalent high school student allocations under RCW 28A.150.260, excluding small high school enhancements, and applicable rules adopted under chapter 34.05 RCW. The superintendent of public instruction, the higher education coordinating board, and the state board for community and technical colleges shall consult on the calculation and distribution of the funds. The institution of higher education shall not require the pupil to pay any other fees. The funds received by the institution of higher education from the school district shall not be deemed tuition or operating fees and may be retained by the institution of higher education. A student enrolled under this subsection shall not be counted for the purpose of determining any enrollment restrictions imposed by the state on the institution of higher education.

[1994 c 205 § 2; 1993 c 222 § 1; 1990 1st ex.s. c 9 § 402.]

NOTES:

Effective date -- 1993 c 222: "This act shall take effect September 1, 1993." [1993 c 222 § 2.]

Finding -- Severability -- 1990 1st ex.s. c 9: See notes following RCW 28A.225.220.

RCW 28A.600.320

High school students' options -- Information on enrollment.

A school district shall provide general information about the program to all pupils in grades ten, eleven, and twelve and the parents and guardians of those pupils. To assist the district in planning, a pupil shall inform the district of the pupil's intent to enroll in courses at an institution of higher education for credit. Students are responsible for applying for admission to the institution of higher education.

[1994 c 205 § 3; 1990 1st ex.s. c 9 § 403.]

NOTES:

Finding -- Severability -- 1990 1st ex.s. c 9: See notes following RCW 28A.225.220.

RCW 28A.600.330

High school students' options -- Maximum terms of enrollment for high school credit.

A pupil who enrolls in an institution of higher education in grade eleven may not enroll in postsecondary courses under RCW 28A.600.300 through 28A.600.390 for high school credit and postsecondary credit for more than the equivalent of the course work for two academic years. A pupil who first enrolls in an institution of higher education in grade twelve may not enroll in postsecondary courses under this section for high school credit and postsecondary credit for more than the equivalent of the course work for one academic year.

[1994 c 205 § 4; 1990 1st ex.s. c 9 § 404.]

NOTES:

Finding -- Severability -- 1990 1st ex.s. c 9: See notes following RCW 28A.225.220.

Remember, we may choose which school district to apply for Running Start through. If your school district seems unwilling to work with you, ie. is demanding exorbitant amounts of paperwork, you should;

a) work with your local support group. Together you can work with school counselors on their concerns thereby playing a vital role in helping fellow homeschoolers.

b) go to another district. Schools receive somewhere in the neighborhood of $290 per R.S. student for administrative work. Take this money to a district who seems interested in working with homeschoolers without demanding more than our homeschooling law does.