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
42 association of washington business