Expanding access to college in the high school to private school students.

HB 1618 expands Washington State's existing "College in the High School" program to include students attending state-approved private high schools. The bill requires institutions of higher education to offer dual-credit courses at no cost to 9th-12th grade students in both public and qualifying private schools, with private school participation now explicitly included in the program's definition. Key provisions mandate that private schools must be state-approved, require schools to award high school credit for successful completion, and ensure no fees for students enrolling in these courses. This change directly affects private school students seeking college credit while still in high school, aligning their access with public school peers.