Rep. Brass seeks broader TOPS Tech access by adding dual-enrollment pathway
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Summary
House Bill 3 25 would add successful completion of nine dual-enrollment credit hours as a third eligibility route for the TOPS Tech award, so students need meet two of three criteria instead of the current combination of GPA, ACT or WorkKeys.
Rep. Jack Brass introduced House Bill 3 25 on March 31, asking the House Education Committee to add a third eligibility pathway for the TOPS Tech award so more students can pursue technical degrees and certificates.
"This is another workforce development initiative and to identify another possible funding source for high school students to further their technical careers," Rep. Brass said, telling lawmakers the bill would permit successful completion of nine dual-enrollment credit hours to serve as one of three qualifying criteria.
Kim Henry, Commissioner of Higher Education, said the change complements ongoing dual-enrollment expansion and would provide “one more eligibility opportunity for students.” She told the committee the state had 43,000 students participating in dual enrollment last year and said the bill would create another affordable pathway to postsecondary credentials.
Committee members voiced support for the bill’s flexibility. Rep. Fryberg said the measure gives “another way of judging a student” and praised the bill as a means to reduce barriers for students who lack a specific test score or grade point average. Several members noted industry demand for two-year technical credentials and encouraged aligning high-school guidance and career counseling with the expanded TOPS Tech pathway.
The committee adopted a clarifying amendment and, with no objections, agreed to report HB 3 25 with amendments to the full House.
The bill was reported to the floor as amended; committee members did not record a roll-call vote on the final motion.
