SENATE BILL REPORT

SB 5662

This analysis was prepared by non-partisan legislative staff for the use of legislative members in their deliberations. This analysis is not a part of the legislation nor does it constitute a statement of legislative intent.

As of February 15, 2017

Title: An act relating to professional educator standards board membership.

Brief Description: Authorizing the superintendent of public instruction to designate a member of the professional educator standards board.

Sponsors: Senator Zeiger; by request of Superintendent of Public Instruction.

Committee Activity: Early Learning & K-12 Education: 2/09/17.

Brief Summary of Bill

Allows the Superintendent of Public Instruction to appoint a designee to fill his or her membership on the Professional Educator Standards Board.

SENATE COMMITTEE ON EARLY LEARNING & K-12 EDUCATION

Staff: Alia Kennedy (786-7405)

Background: The Professional Educator Standards Board (board) is a 13-member board responsible for establishing the requirements for the state certification of educators, and approving educator preparation and certification programs. The board consists of the Superintendent of Public Instruction and 12 members appointed by the Governor for four-year terms. The law does not provide that the Superintendent may appoint a designee to fill his or her membership on the board.

Board vacancies must be filled by appointment or reappointment by the Governor. No person may serve as a board member for more than two consecutive terms. The Governor biennially appoints a board chair, who may serve as chair for no more than four consecutive years.

A majority of the board members must be active practitioners with classroom-based experience. Membership must include individuals having one or more of the following:

experience in one or more of the education roles for which state preparation program approval is required and certificates issued;
experience providing or leading a state-approved teacher or educator preparation program;
experience providing mentoring and coaching to education professionals or others; and
education-related community experience.

In appointing board members, the Governor must consider the individual's commitment to quality education and the ongoing improvement of instruction, experiences in public schools or private schools, involvement in developing quality teaching preparation and support programs, and vision for the most effective yet practical system of assuring teaching quality. The Governor must also consider the diversity of the population of the state.

All appointments to the board are subject to confirmation by the Senate. Compensation of board members must be consist with relevant law and include reimbursement for travel expenses incurred while carrying out duties of the board.

The Governor may remove a member of the board for neglect of duty, misconduct, malfeasance, or misfeasance in office, or for incompetency or unprofessional conduct. In such a case, the Governor must file with the Secretary of State a statement of the causes for and the order of removal from office. The Secretary of State must send a certified copy of the statement of causes and order of removal to the last known post office address of the member.

Members of the board must hire an executive director and an administrative assistant to reside in the OSPI for administrative purposes only. Members of the board may create informal advisory groups as needed to inform the board's work.

Summary of Bill: The Professional Educator Standards Board must consist of twelve members appointed by the Governor, the Superintendent of Public Instruction, or the Superintendent's designee.

Appropriation: None.

Fiscal Note: Available.

Creates Committee/Commission/Task Force that includes Legislative members: No.

Effective Date: Ninety days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.

Staff Summary of Public Testimony: PRO: This bill addresses one of those rare statutes where the office is designated solely to the office holder, which means that it must be held by the Superintendent. Allowing for a designee to fill the Superintendent's spot on the board would mean there would always be an expert in the room. The Superintendent has obligations to be on many committees. This bill would align with other statutes that allow for delegation.

Persons Testifying: PRO: Dave Mastin, Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction.

Persons Signed In To Testify But Not Testifying: No one.