Executive Summary
Establishing the Washington Guaranteed Admissions Program & requiring student notifications
Background
Washington Guaranteed Admissions Program (WAGAP)
The Washington Guaranteed Admissions Program (WAGAP) is a voluntary program established and administered by the Washington State Council of Presidents (COP) that provides eligible students with advance notice of admission to participating universities before a student applies. This enables students to know that they meet the admission criteria for participating universities or colleges before applying. The Council of Presidents (COP) is an organization representing the presidents of Washington State’s public four-year institutions of higher education. The six participating institutions are:-
- Central Washington University
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- Eastern Washington University
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- The Evergreen State College
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- University of Washington Tacoma
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- Washington State University
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- Western Washington University
WAGAP Criteria
To qualify for guaranteed admission under WAGAP, a student must:-
- Have a minimum cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 3.0;
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- Be on track to complete all minimum core academic course requirements for college admission, known as the College Academic Distribution Requirements (CADRs); and
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- Attend a high school within a school district that participates in WAGAP
Summary
Establishment of the Washington Guaranteed Admissions Program (WAGAP)
- The Washington Guaranteed Admissions Program (WAGAP) is established as an official state program. Beginning with the 2027–28 academic year.
Higher Education Requirements
- Participating institutions must simplify and streamline the general admissions application form.
- An institution may opt out of participation if it provides the following to the Legislature in writing:
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- The reason for opting out and information on the other actions being taken to improve the admissions processes and expand access
Program Operations
The Council of Presidents (COP) must:-
- Determine eligibility criteria for WAGAP and review those criteria annually; and
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- Collect, maintain, and make available to participating institutions the information necessary to guarantee admission to qualified applicants.
Informing students of Eligibility
Public school systems must enter into data‑sharing agreements with institutions participating in WAGAP to facilitate the transfer of data for students who meet the eligibility criteria for WAGAP.Washington Guaranteed Admissions Program Notification
By the 2027–28 school year, each school district with a high school must collaborate with identified stakeholders to develop a notification informing students of their eligibility for the WAGAP.Ways to Get Involved
Steps to Get Started
- Learn where the bill is in the legislative process.
- If there is an upcoming hearing, decide how you would like to get your voice heard and take action.
- If there is not an upcoming hearing, or if you want to supplement your advocacy, call or write your legislators.
- Spread the word and get other people on board.
Participating in a Hearing
Sign in Pro, Con, or Other
This is when individuals, advocates, and organizations make their position on a particular bill known for the record. This is particularly powerful in large numbers. Many organizations will send out Action Alerts asking people to sign in Pro or Con on a bill.
Submit Written Testimony
Submitting written testimony is a great way not only to make your position known to legislators but also to explain why in more detail. This is a good option if you don’t want to speak in front of others. People also like to offer more nuance to their position by writing.
Testify Virtually
Since COVID, many legislators are allowing remote/virtual testimony for bill hearings, as it greatly expands access to the legislative process across the state. For this, individuals usually have between 1-2 minutes to state their opinion on a bill in front of the legislative committee on Zoom.