AN ACT Relating to teacher competency; amending RCW 28A.04.120 and 28A.70.005; adding new sections to chapter 28A.70 RCW; and creating new sections.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:

NEW SECTION. Sec. 1. The legislature recognizes the important role played by education in the future well-being of the citizens of the state of Washington. The legislature further recognizes the vital and integral part teachers have in the education process. It is therefore the intent of the legislature to improve the quality of teaching in this state by establishing criteria for certification and endorsements to assure that the teachers of our children are well qualified upon entering the profession and continue to maintain and increase their competency.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 2. A new section is added to chapter 28A.70 RCW to read as follows:

The state board of education shall adopt rules for approved professional preparation programs and professional certification requirements that include but are not limited to the following:

(1) Entrance requirements to professional education programs that include but are not limited to a minimum score on the Washington pre-college test, or an equivalent test, or a college grade point average requirement;

(2) After July 1, 1987, a person shall not be eligible for certification until the person has successfully completed two full academic quarters or the equivalent of internship experience under the direction of a supervisory teacher and administrator in a teacher preparation program in a local school district; and

(3) Completion of a degree major in an academic field.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 3. A new section is added to chapter 28A.70 RCW to read as follows:

(1) After June 30, 1985, the superintendent of public instruction shall develop or select a prototype Washington state professional certification examination for the approval and adoption by the state board of education no later than January, 1987. The examination shall measure professional teaching and pedagogical knowledge. The examination shall be administered to persons seeking initial certification after June 30, 1989, and passage of the examination shall be a condition for receipt of an initial professional certificate.

(2) The state board of education shall study subject area examinations and the use of subject area examinations as a condition for initial certification before the state board of education may require these examinations as a condition for initial certification.

(3) The board shall consult with state education associations and such other groups as the board may deem appropriate in the development of the examination program under this section.

(4) The board shall report on its activities and actions to the education committees of the house of representatives and the senate no later than December, 1986.

Sec. 4. Section 28A.04.120, chapter 223, Laws of 1969 ex. sess. as last amended by section 2, chapter 40, Laws of 1984 and RCW 28A.04.120 are each amended to read as follows:

In addition to any other powers and duties as provided by law, the state board of education shall:

(1) Approve the program of courses leading to teacher, school administrator, and school specialized personnel certification offered by all institutions of higher education within the state which may be accredited and whose graduates may become entitled to receive such certification.

(2) Investigate the character of the work required to be performed as a condition of entrance to and graduation from any institution of higher education in this state relative to such certification as provided for in subsection (1) above, and prepare a list of accredited institutions of higher education of this and other states whose graduates may be awarded such certificates.

(3) Develop, establish, and maintain a professional certification examination program as a condition for initial certification.

(4) Supervise the issuance of such certificates as provided for in subsection (1) above and specify the types and kinds of certificates necessary for the several departments of the common schools by rule or regulation in accordance with RCW 28A.70.005.

((~~(4)~~)) (5) Accredit, subject to such accreditation standards and procedures as may be established by the state board of education, all schools that apply for accreditation, and approve, subject to the provisions of RCW 28A.02.201, private schools carrying out a program for any or all of the grades one through twelve: PROVIDED, That no public or private schools shall be placed upon the list of accredited schools so long as secret societies are knowingly allowed to exist among its students by school officials: PROVIDED FURTHER, That the state board may elect to require all or certain classifications of the public schools to conduct and participate in such pre-accreditation examination and evaluation processes as may now or hereafter be established by the board.

((~~(5)~~)) (6) Make rules and regulations governing the establishment in any existing nonhigh school district of any secondary program or any new grades in grades nine through twelve. Before any such program or any new grades are established the district must obtain prior approval of the state board.

((~~(6)~~)) (7) Prepare such outline of study for the common schools as the board shall deem necessary, and prescribe such rules for the general government of the common schools, as shall seek to secure regularity of attendance, prevent truancy, secure efficiency, and promote the true interest of the common schools.

((~~(7)~~)) (8) Prepare with the assistance of the superintendent of public instruction a uniform series of questions, with the proper answers thereto for use in the correcting thereof, to be used in the examination of persons, as this code may direct, and prescribe rules and regulations for conducting any such examinations.

((~~(8)~~)) (9) Continuously reevaluate courses and adopt and enforce regulations within the common schools so as to meet the educational needs of students and articulate with the institutions of higher education and unify the work of the public school system.

((~~(9)~~)) (10) Carry out board powers and duties relating to the organization and reorganization of school districts under chapter 28A.57 RCW.

((~~(10)~~)) (11) By rule or regulation promulgated upon the advice of the state fire marshal, provide for instruction of pupils in the public and private schools carrying out a K through 12 program, or any part thereof, so that in case of sudden emergency they shall be able to leave their particular school building in the shortest possible time or take such other steps as the particular emergency demands, and without confusion or panic; such rules and regulations shall be published and distributed to certificated personnel throughout the state whose duties shall include a familiarization therewith as well as the means of implementation thereof at their particular school.

((~~(11)~~)) (12) Hear and decide appeals as otherwise provided by law.

Sec. 5. Section 28A.70.005, chapter 223, Laws of 1969 ex. sess. as amended by section 2, chapter 92, Laws of 1975-'76 2nd ex. sess. and RCW 28A.70.005 are each amended to read as follows:

The state board of education shall establish, publish and enforce rules and regulations determining eligibility for and certification of personnel employed in the common schools of this state, including professional examination requirements for all applicants for initial certification and certification for emergency or temporary, substitute or provisional duty and under such certificates or permits as the board shall deem proper or as otherwise prescribed by law. The superintendent of public instruction shall act as the administrator of any such rules and regulations and have the power to issue any certificates or permits and revoke the same in accordance with board rules and regulations.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 6. A new section is added to chapter 28A.70 RCW to read as follows:

Professional certificate means one of the several certificates issued by the state board of education authorizing the holder to work with children, youth, and adults in a school setting subject to fulfilling requirements established by the state board of education. Types of certificates include but are not limited to:

(1) The initial certificate which is a certificate authorizing school service in a particular role and allows the holder to assume independent responsibility for working with children, youth, and adults based on having fulfilled requirements established by the state board of education.

(2) The continuing certificate which is a certificate valid on a continuing basis and authorizes school service in a particular role based on completion of additional academic, experience, and competency requirements established by the state board of education beyond the initial certificate.

(3) An endorsement which is a notation on a professional certificate indicating an area of subject matter or a field of specialization based on completion of requirements established by the state board of education.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 7. A new section is added to chapter 28A.70 RCW to read as follows:

(1) The state board of education shall study the feasibility of requiring holders of continuing certificates to obtain endorsements. The state board of education, with the assistance of the office of the superintendent of public instruction, as well as that of the local school districts, the educational service districts, and the colleges and universities, shall review the criteria for obtaining endorsements in at least the following subjects: English, mathematics, science, and social studies, with the aim of modifying the criteria to account for and incorporate the following:

(a) Successful experience teaching in a field other than those in which endorsed, as evidenced by evaluations, student progress, documented private or self-directed learning, and other relevant factors;

(b) Credit for work done through in-service training or in settings other than those approved for a regular endorsement;

(c) Expanded use of cooperative and innovative ways of earning endorsements, including but not limited to courses offered through educational service districts, community colleges, and those making use of communications technologies; and

(d) Use of the subject area tests selected as part of the teacher competency test under section 3 of this act or other validated subject area tests to confirm a teacher's minimal competency in endorsed areas for the addition of new endorsements and the renewal of existing ones.

(2) By January, 1988, the state board of education shall complete the review and development or selection of criteria for an endorsement being obtained for both initial and continuing certification and shall report its results to the legislature.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 8. The state board of education shall report to the legislature in January, 1988, on its progress and recommendations in the following areas:

(1) The implementation and the impact of applying professional certification requirements including use of the Washington precollege test or college grade point average and the need for waiver of these requirements;

(2) The development or selection and establishment of a state professional certification examination; and

(3) Assessment of the feasibility, criteria, and plan for issuance of endorsements in at least the subject areas of English, science, mathematics, and social studies to holders of continuing certificates.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 9. Implementation of this act is subject to funds being appropriated or made available for such purpose.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 10. If any provision of this act or its application to any person or circumstance is held invalid, the remainder of the act or the application of the provision to other persons or circumstances is not affected.