Running Start creates opportunities and challenges for high schools

NORTH CENTRAL WASHINGTON – For decades, Running Start has offered Washington state students an affordable jump start on a postsecondary education before they even graduate high school. However, its recent growth has exacerbated some long-standing issues around funding, communication, and who bears the responsibility of student outcome.

Running Start allows juniors and seniors to enroll in courses at community colleges, earning credits that meet high school graduation requirements and count towards their permanent college transcript. With the exception of some fees and book purchases, the tuition is free. The program can be an affordable jumpstart into postsecondary education, with the opportunity for some students to even earn their associates degree (AA) by the time they graduate high school.

“I always try to recommend this program to students, especially if they're planning on going to a four year university, because I think that this is a great stepping stone,” said Wenatchee Valley College Director of Concurrent Enrollment Aracely Mendoza, who earned an AA as a Running Start student. “It made the transition to a four year university feel a lot less scary, and made me feel a bit more confident.”

In an effort to expand access to the program and its benefits, the legislature enacted changes in recent years, such as increasing the credit load students could take, opening it up to a summer quarter, and allowing incoming juniors to enroll. In the same vein, Wenatchee Valley College (WVC) set its requirement to 2.5 GPA or higher to enroll.

However, the program’s structure can create tension for high schools. School districts receive much of their funding through the state’s basic education allocation (BEA), which is largely tied to enrollment using a prototypical school funding model. In practice, districts are funded per student, which is measured in full-time equivalents (FTEs).

When a student enrolls in Running Start, a majority of that funding is passed to the college. For a full-time Running Start student, the college receives 93 percent of the allocated funding, with only 7 percent left with the school. However, high schools remain responsible for the student’s graduation outcome.

“The state did not set it up as a good puzzle piece between the high school and the college. It's just an odd thing for high schools, because we are held accountable for students who are not enrolled with us,” said Cascade School District Superintendent Tracey Edou.

As the popular program has become more available to students, local school districts say they are concerned about student preparedness for college-level responsibilities.

“There's no real entrance bar, so any student can choose to do it, regardless of their readiness. That's a concern for us. We want kids with high aspirations and stretching, but we just want them to be in a spot where they're set up to be successful,” said Lake Chelan School District Superintendent Brad Wilson.

Communication challenges are also significant. Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974 (FERPA) limits the information colleges can share, and students are treated like college adults. That means, they bear the responsibility to communicate with parents and faculty if they are struggling. 

“That has happened…where we find out, like a week before they graduate, that they're failing, and then they do not graduate,” said Edou.

Despite these concerns, administrators acknowledge that Running Start remains a valuable opportunity for students. Rather than discourage participation, the school districts have taken steps to expand options for students, as well as ensure they are prepared. According to Wilson, Lake Chelan School District has tried to maintain frequent communication with students, including monthly check-ins with the counselor.

“It's still important to have some connection with them, not just for their academic well-being, but for their social and emotional as well,” said Wilson. “The kids that are doing 100 percent online Running Start I worry about.”

The school districts have also worked to expand college credit opportunities in high school classrooms, including Advanced Placement (AP) classes, College in the Classroom, which runs in partnership with state universities, and dual credit agreements with local community colleges, including WVC.

For Running Start, Cascade High School took more preemptive measures this year to prepare their students. Before enrolling, the administration met with students and parents to run through a checklist that clarified expectations and outlined what responsibilities fall on the student.

“That seems to have helped quite a bit, to be honest. I think it gives the parents more information, so they can make better decisions and be more supportive in their student’s education,” said Cascade High School Principal James Swanson.

Taylor Caldwell: 509-433-7276 or taylor@ward.media