State Board to hear update on legislative session

OLYMPIA, Wash. — The Washington State Board for Community and Technical Colleges at its study session Wednesday, March 29 will hear an update on the college system's 2023 legislative priorities and a review of the House and Senate operating and capital budget proposals. Board members are also set to hear from Rep. Alex Ybarra, the ranking member of the House Postsecondary Education and Workforce Committee.

Also on the study session agenda is a presentation on methods to measure student progress in Basic Education for Adults programs developed by colleges and community-based organizations offering those programs. These assessments would serve as a more accurate alternative to federally-mandated tests. The State Board's Basic Education for Adults department plans to study and validate the new assessments on a pilot basis to ultimately use them in place of the current tests.

The board will also meet for its regular business meeting on Thursday. Board members are expected to vote to authorize Clark College to complete design and construction of its North County Satellite project and Green River College to create a Center for Learning and Innovation. Also expected is approval of Whatcom Community College's lease to Bellingham Public Schools to construct a Community Transitions facility and Yakima Valley College's plan to purchase property nearby its main campus.

The regular meeting is set to begin at 9 a.m. and adjourn at 12 p.m. on Thursday. The study session will begin at 1 p.m. and end at 5 p.m. on Wednesday. The meetings are open to the public and will be held on Zoom. The meeting agenda and background materials are posted on the State Board's website.