Enrollment in these courses for students whose primary language is not English was 22 percent higher last fall than the year before. The number of welfare recipients who attend community and technical colleges declined by an estimated 5,000 students to a total of 7,800 during fall 1998. The state's WorkFirst welfare reform program moves welfare recipients into employment, rather than training. Population changes among the various age groups are also reflected in college enrollments. In addition to the Wednesday afternoon and Thursday morning meetings, the State Board has scheduled a dinner session Wednesday evening with the South Puget Sound Community College Board of Trustees.
All sessions are open to the public.