LEAP Educational Policy Priorities
Historical Overview
LEAP Policy Priorities
Results
In
2003, the state Legislature approved EHB 1079, a
bill that enables undocumented students to pay in-state tuition
to attend higher education institutions in Washington state. Governor
Gary Locke signed EHB 1079 into law on May 7, 2003.
In
2004, LEAP’s request for conditional loans for future
dual-language teachers moved the state Legislature to include
“bilingual ability” as a criterion for students to qualify for
conditional scholarships, via House Bill 2708 which was approved.
In
2006 and 2007, bills were introduced in the state
Legislature that address LEAP’s educational priorities:
- extend State Need Grant financial aid
to undocumented students;
- provide scholarships and begin a mentoring
program to train bilingual students to become future bilingual
teachers;
- create college and career readiness
centers to help students who are behind academically to meet
state learning goals and graduation requirements, and to prepare
them for college.
While LEAP’s priorities
were not acted upon by the Legislature in 2006-07, progress was
made. Public hearings were held on each of LEAP’s priorities,
moving them into the state’s public policy arena.
More to come
in 2008…
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