This is testimony to the value, quality and relevance of what the colleges are offering to the adults of our state. The report also shows that the number of students taking courses via the Internet and through other distance-learning methods grew by 37 percent over fall 1998. Internet-based courses include those offered by individual colleges and by Washington Online, the colleges' consortium for online instruction. The results of a study by the Washington Council of the American Electronics Association will also be reported to the board. Dennis Brewer, managing director of CNA Consulting and Engineering, will describe what the state, higher education and industry need to do to address the skilled worker shortage.
Brewer chairs the association's task force on higher education.
Colleges are having difficulty hiring and retaining faculty in information technology and other high- demand fields such as nursing, due in part to the huge difference in salaries between public and private sector jobs. The board will hear about a preliminary plan, developed by the college system and business leaders, to address this problem. Also on the agenda are a status report on adult literacy efforts in Washington state and final adoption of the colleges' performance reporting plan. In addition, the board has scheduled a dinner meeting Tuesday with the Adult Education Advisory Council. All meetings are open to the public.