SENATE BILL REPORT
SB 5582
As Passed Senate, March 9, 2001
Title: An act relating to the conditional employment of teachers with lapsed certificates.
Brief Description: Authorizing the conditional employment of teachers with lapsed certificates.
Sponsors: Senators Roach, McAuliffe, Winsley, Patterson, Fairley, Morton, Kastama, Hochstatter, Deccio, Swecker, Long, Carlson, Finkbeiner, Hewitt, Stevens, Sheahan, Zarelli, Rossi, Kohl‑Welles and Regala.
Brief History:
Committee Activity: Education: 2/7/01, 2/19/01 [DP].
Passed Senate: 3/9/01, 48-0.
SENATE COMMITTEE ON EDUCATION
Majority Report: Do pass.
Signed by Senators McAuliffe, Chair; Eide, Vice Chair; Carlson, Finkbeiner, Hewitt, Hochstatter, Johnson, Kastama, Kohl‑Welles, Prentice, Rasmussen, Regala and Zarelli.
Staff: Susan Mielke (786‑7422)
Background: The State Board of Education (SBE) establishes and enforces the rules governing certification of school personnel. Generally, teachers who teach in public or private schools must hold teaching certificates. A person who does not have a teaching certificate may teach in public schools under a conditional certificate if specific requirements are met, including that the person is highly qualified and experienced in the subject matter to be taught.
Summary of Bill: An individual with a lapsed teaching certificate may be employed by a school district. The individual must complete certificate renewal requirements within two years of reemployement. Teachers whose certificates were revoked or suspended are not eligible.
Appropriation: None.
Fiscal Note: Not requested.
Effective Date: Ninety days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.
Testimony For: In light of the looming teacher shortage, we support the idea that teachers with lapsed certificates can help alleviate that shortage.
Testimony Against: Certificated employees get an 18‑month notice to renew their teaching certificate. Currently there is a continuing education requirement to renew the certificate. This bill would let individuals ignore those continuing education requirements. It might be different if the bill addressed individuals who separate from the profession and then decide to re‑enter the profession.
Testified: PRO: Senator Roach, prime sponsor; Greg Williamson, OSPI; Karen Davis, WEA, Randy Hathaway, Washington School Personnel Association; Larry Nyland, Washington School Personnel Association.