For Immediate Release:

Monday, March 11, 2002

(WASHINGTON, DC) - U.S. Senator Patty Murray (D-Wash.) today announced the release of $573,448 in federal funds for the creation of a biotechnology high school on the downtown campus of Spokane Community College.

Spokane Community College will establish the high school in partnership with three area school districts and several local biotechnology businesses.

The school will provide instruction to an estimated 60 juniors and seniors in a dual credit biotechnology curriculum that is based on industry-developed skill standards for biotechnology technicians.

"I am pleased to announce these dollars to build a biotechnology high school for Spokane students," Senator Murray said. "The economic challenges facing Washington state make it essential that our students have the most up-to-date equipment and training needed to remain competitive. The creation of this high school will open doors to the high-wage, high-demand biotechnology field for Spokane-area students."

Students who participate in the Spokane biotechnology high school programs will be eligible to earn college credit toward a two-year degree in biotechnology or other science and students who complete the program will receive an industry-validated certificate as a biotechnology technician.

The Tech-Prep Demonstration Program grants, funded by the Labor, Health and Human Services (LHHS) and Education spending bills, enable groups of schools to carry out technology-based education projects that involve the location of a secondary school on the site of a community college.

Senator Murray is a member of both the LHHS and Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committees (HELP) which allocate funding for this program.