Bill Text: OR HB4059 | 2012 | Regular Session | Engrossed

NOTE: There are more recent revisions of this legislation. Read Latest Draft

---

Bill Title: Relating to higher education; and prescribing an effective date.

Spectrum: Unknown

Status: (Passed) 2012-04-11 - Chapter 96, (2012 Laws): Effective date July 1, 2012. [HB4059 Detail]

Download: Oregon-2012-HB4059-Engrossed.html

---

     76th OREGON LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY--2012 Regular Session

NOTE:  Matter within  { +  braces and plus signs + } in an
amended section is new. Matter within  { -  braces and minus
signs - } is existing law to be omitted. New sections are within
 { +  braces and plus signs + } .

LC 287

                           A-Engrossed

                         House Bill 4059
                 Ordered by the House February 9
           Including House Amendments dated February 9

Introduced and printed pursuant to House Rule 12.00. Presession
  filed (at the request of House Interim Committee on Higher
  Education)

                             SUMMARY

The following summary is not prepared by the sponsors of the
measure and is not a part of the body thereof subject to
consideration by the Legislative Assembly. It is an editor's
brief statement of the essential features of the measure.

  Directs Higher Education Coordinating Commission to carry out
goals relating to awarding academic credit for prior learning by
students. Directs commission to appoint work group to assist in
meeting goals. Requires commission to submit annual report to
Legislative Assembly on progress toward meeting goals.
  Directs commission to report to Legislative Assembly on
proposed partnership with Western Governors University to provide
online higher education degree programs and financial aid for
Oregon students enrolled in university.
  Takes effect July 1, 2012.

                        A BILL FOR AN ACT
Relating to higher education; and prescribing an effective date.
Be It Enacted by the People of the State of Oregon:
  SECTION 1.  { + (1) The Higher Education Coordinating
Commission shall work with the State Board of Higher Education,
community college districts and independent for-profit and
not-for-profit institutions of higher education to carry out the
following goals:
  (a) Increase the number of students who receive academic credit
for prior learning and the number of students who receive
academic credit for prior learning that counts toward their major
or toward earning their degree, certificate or credential, while
ensuring that credit is awarded only for high quality
course-level competencies;
  (b) Increase the number and type of academic credits accepted
for prior learning in institutions of higher education, while
ensuring that credit is awarded only for high quality
course-level competencies;
  (c) Develop transparent policies and practices in awarding
academic credit for prior learning to be adopted by the governing
boards of public universities, community colleges and independent
institutions of higher education;
  (d) Improve prior learning assessment practices across all
institutions of higher education;

  (e) Create tools to develop faculty and staff knowledge and
expertise in awarding academic credit for prior learning and to
share exemplary policies and practices among institutions of
higher education;
  (f) Develop articulation agreements when patterns of academic
credit for prior learning are identified for particular programs
and pathways; and
  (g) Develop outcome measures to track progress on the goals
outlined in this section.
  (2) The Higher Education Coordinating Commission shall appoint
an advisory committee to coordinate implementation of the goals
in subsection (1) of this section. The committee shall include:
  (a) A member recommended for appointment by the State Board of
Higher Education representing public universities in this state.
  (b) A member recommended for appointment by the State Board of
Education representing community colleges in this state.
  (c) A member representing independent not-for-profit
institutions of higher education located in this state.
  (d) A member representing for-profit institutions of higher
education offering degree programs to students in this state.
  (e) A member representing the business community.
  (f) A member representing the labor community.
  (g) A member who is a student at a two-year or four-year
institution of higher education located in this state.
  (h) Other members appointed by the Higher Education
Coordinating Commission based upon a demonstrated interest in and
knowledge of prior learning programs.
  (3) The Higher Education Coordinating Commission shall submit
an annual report to the Legislative Assembly no later than
December 31 of each calendar year, in the manner prescribed by
ORS 192.245, reporting on progress toward meeting the goals set
forth in subsection (1) of this section.
  (4) For the purposes of this section, 'prior learning ' means
the knowledge and skills gained through work and life experience,
through military training and experience and through formal and
informal education and training from institutions of higher
education in the United States and in other nations. + }
  SECTION 2.  { + (1) The Higher Education Coordinating
Commission shall prepare a report for the Legislative Assembly
that proposes a partnership with Western Governors University, a
nonprofit, online, competency-based university created through a
collaboration of governors of the western states, to provide:
  (a) Enhanced access for residents of this state to online,
competency-based higher education degree programs offered by
Western Governors University;
  (b) Coordination between this state and Western Governors
University in terms of financial aid eligibility, data sharing
and outreach efforts to adults who have completed some college
coursework, but have not attained a degree; and
  (c) Specific new programs or modifications to existing programs
to provide for financial aid to Oregon residents enrolling at
Western Governors University.
  (2) The Higher Education Coordinating Commission shall submit
the report, with recommendations for necessary legislation, to
the Legislative Assembly in the manner provided by ORS 192.245 no
later than November 1, 2012. + }
  SECTION 3.  { + Section 2 of this 2012 Act is repealed on the
date of the convening of the 2013 regular session of the
Legislative Assembly as specified in ORS 171.010. + }
  SECTION 4.  { + This 2012 Act takes effect on July 1, 2012. + }
                         ----------