HOUSE BILL REPORT
HB 2012
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 Second Reading
Title: An act relating to providing equitable bonuses to K-12 instructional staff who attain national certification through professional organizations.
Brief Description: Providing equitable bonuses to K-12 instructional staff who attain national certification through professional organizations.
Sponsors: Representatives Boehnke, Ramos, Young, Stonier, Harris, Dolan, Sells and Irwin.
Brief History:
Committee Activity:
None.
Brief Summary of Bill |
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Staff: Megan Wargacki (786-7194).
Background:
Certificated instructional staff (CIS) are school district staff who hold a certificate authorized by the Professional Educator Standards Board and who are nonsupervisory certificated staff. Teachers, school counselors, occupational therapists, physical therapists, speech language pathologists, audiologists, school nurses, school social workers, and school psychologists are all CIS. Voluntary national certification exists for most categories of CIS.
For teachers and school counselors, the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards (National Board) offers a voluntary certificate that allows eligible candidates to demonstrate advanced knowledge, skills, and practice in their individual certificate area by completing four components: three portfolio entries, and a computer-based assessment. To be eligible, candidates must: possess a bachelor's degree from an accredited institution; complete three years of successful employment experience; and hold a valid state license for each of the three years of employment. The National Board Certificate (NBC) is available in 25 certificate areas representing 16 different disciplines and four student developmental levels. For NBCs issues in 2017 or later, the NBC is valid for five years. For NBCs issued prior to 2017, the NBC is valid for ten years.
An annual bonus is available to CIS with a current NBC. In the 2018-19 school year, the annual bonus was $5,397. An additional $5,000 bonus is paid to CIS with a current NBC and an instructional assignment in: high schools where at least 50 percent of the students are eligible for federal free or reduce-price lunch (FRPL); middle schools where at lest 60 percent of students are eligible for FRPL, or elementary schools where at least 70 percent of students are eligible for FRPL.
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Summary of Bill:
It is specified that certain CIS are not eligible for the NBC, including occupational therapists, physical therapists, speech language pathologists, audiologists, school nurses, school social workers, and school psychologists. If these CIS attain national certification through the relevant national professional associations for these fields, they must receive bonus equivalent to the bonus received by the CIS who have attained the NBC and, if assigned to a high poverty school in which at least 70 percent of the students qualify for free and reduced-price lunch, the additional bonus.
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Appropriation: None.
Fiscal Note: Not requested.
Effective Date: The bill takes effect 90 days after adjournment of the session in which the bill is passed.
Staff Summary of Public Testimony:
(In support) None.
(Opposed) None.
Persons Testifying: None.
Persons Signed In To Testify But Not Testifying: None.