AN ACT Relating to improving the educational system; amending RCW 28A.71.210; adding new sections to chapter 28A.04 RCW; adding a new section to chapter 28A.67 RCW; adding a new section to chapter 28A.70 RCW; adding new sections to Title 28A RCW; adding a new section to Title 28B RCW; creating new sections; repealing section 4, chapter 422, Laws of 1985 (uncodified); providing expiration dates; providing an effective date; and declaring an emergency.

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

NEW SECTION. Sec. 1. Americans have traditionally put the needs of children first. Changes to the state's education system are required to increase the capacity of children to succeed in the technology-based economy of the twenty-first century. Better critical thinking skills with higher levels of literacy, mathematics, and scientific knowledge are necessary to better prepare children for the challenges of entering the twenty-first century work force. State and national studies have confirmed that to better meet the educational goals and challenges of the twenty-first century, teacher and principal preparation, the school environment, and school operations should all be enhanced.

PART I-A

SCHOOLS FOR THE TWENTY-FIRST CENTURY

NEW SECTION. Sec. 101. (1) The legislature believes that a schools for the twenty-first century pilot program will enable educators and parents of selected public schools or school districts to work cooperatively to identify ways to restructure certain school operations, including the development of model school programs which will improve the learning climate for and performance of students; and hold such schools and staff accountable for student progress, including relating incentives for teachers to school-wide student performance, in order to provide a true professional environment for teaching and to test whether or not substantial changes affecting and increasing local decision-making authority will produce more effective learning.

(2) The legislature intends to encourage educational creativity, professionalism, and initiative by: (a) Providing selected public schools or school districts an opportunity to develop with minimal hindrance and restrictions, through the temporary waiver of certain state statutes or administrative rules, new methods and procedures to best meet the educational needs of students, communities, and the state, in the twenty-first century, and (b) providing selected public schools or school districts with the technology, services, and staff essential to enhance learning.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 102. The state board of education, with the assistance of the superintendent of public instruction, shall develop a process for public schools or school districts to apply to participate in the schools for the twenty-first century pilot program. The board shall review and select projects for grant awards, and monitor and evaluate the schools for the twenty-first century pilot program. The board shall develop criteria to evaluate the need for the waivers of state statutes or administrative rules as identified under section 108 of this act.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 103. (1) The governor shall appoint an advisory task force to assist the state board of education with the development of criteria under section 102 of this act. The state board is directed, in developing the criteria, to take into consideration such concerns and suggestions or recommendations as the task force may express.

(2) The task force, shall be of such size and composition as determined by the governor. Appointed members who are not legislators shall be reimbursed for travel expenses under RCW 43.03.050 and 43.03.060. Appointed members who are members of the legislature shall be reimbursed for travel expenses under RCW 44.04.120.

(3) The advisory task force shall terminate on June 30, 1988.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 104. Initial applications to participate in the schools for the twenty-first century pilot program shall be submitted by the school district board of directors to the state board of education not later than March 31, 1988. Subject to available funding, additional applications may be submitted for board consideration by November 1 of subsequent years. Each application shall contain a proposed plan which includes:

(1) Enumeration of the specific activities to be carried out as part of the pilot school(s) project.

(2) Planning proposals that:

(a) Commit all parties to work cooperatively during the term of the pilot project;

(b) Include provisions for certificated school staff, and classified school employees whose primary duties are the daily educational instruction of students, to be employed on supplemental contracts with additional compensation for a minimum of ten additional days beyond the general state funded school year allocations, and staff development time as provided by legislative appropriation, and, notwithstanding the provisions of RCW 28A.58.095(1), district resources may be used to fund the employment of staff beyond the ten additional days for the purposes of the pilot project;

(c) Include budget plans for the project and additional anticipated sources of funding, including private grants and contributions, if any; and

(d) Identify the technical resources desired, the potential costs of those resources, and the institutions of higher education, educational service districts, or consultants available to provide such services.

(3) Identifying the evaluation and accountability processes to be used to measure school-wide student and project performance, which shall serve as the basis to establish and implement a staff incentive pay system for the purposes of the pilot project.

(4) Justification for each request for waiver of specific state statutes or administrative rules during at least the first two years of the project.

(5) A written statement that school directors and administrators are willing to exempt the pilot school(s) from specifically identified local rules, as needed.

(6) A written statement that the school directors and the local bargaining agents will modify those portions of their local agreements as applicable for the pilot school(s) project.

(7) Written statements of support from the district's board of directors, the district superintendent, the principal and staff of the building requesting to become a pilot school; and statements of support, willingness to participate, or concerns from any interested parent, business, or community organization.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 105. The board, in reviewing project proposals, shall, subject to sufficient legislative appropriations, select:

(1) Not more than twenty projects during each biennium for the schools for the twenty-first century pilot program;

(2) At least one entire school district may be selected as a pilot project if the application is consistent with the requirements under sections 102 and 104 of this act;

(3) Selected projects should reflect a balance among elementary, junior high or middle schools, and high schools. They should also reflect, as much as possible, a balance among geographical areas and school characteristics and sizes.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 106. (1) The superintendent of public instruction shall administer sections 102 through 113 of this act and is authorized to award grant funding, subject to legislative appropriation, for pilot projects selected by the state board of education under section 102 of this act.

(2) The superintendent of public instruction shall distribute the initial award grants by July 1, 1988. The initial schools for the twenty-first century pilot projects shall commence with the 1988-89 school year.

(3) The twenty-first century pilot school projects may be conducted for up to six years, if funds are so provided. Subject to state board of education approval, selected schools or districts may receive initial funding for up to a six-year period. Subject to state board approval and continued state funding, pilot projects initially funded for fewer than six years may be extended for a total period not to exceed six years.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 107. The superintendent of public instruction may accept, receive, and administer for the purposes of sections 102 through 113 of this act such gifts, grants, and contributions as may be provided from public and private sources for the purposes of sections 102 through 113 of this act.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 108. The state board of education, where appropriate, or the superintendent of public instruction, where appropriate, is authorized to grant waivers to pilot project districts from the provisions of statutes or administrative rules relating to: The length of the school year; teacher contact hour requirements; program hour offerings; student to teacher ratios; salary lid compliance requirements; the commingling of funds appropriated by the legislature on a categorical basis for such programs as, but not limited to, highly capable students, transitional bilingual instruction, and remedial assistance; and other administrative rules which in the opinion of the state board of education or the opinion of the superintendent of public instruction may need to be waived in order to implement a pilot project proposal.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 109. State rules dealing with public health, safety, and civil rights, including accessibility by the handicapped, shall not be waived. A school district may request the state board of education or the superintendent of public instruction to ask the United States department of education or other federal agencies to waive certain federal regulations necessary to fully implement the proposed pilot project.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 110. The board shall ensure that successful applicant school districts will be afforded resource and special support assistance, as specified in legislative appropriations, in undertaking schools for the twenty-first century pilot program activities. The board shall develop a process that coordinates and facilitates linkages among participating school districts and colleges and universities. Schools or districts selected to participate in the schools for the twenty-first century pilot program shall be given priority consideration for staff participation in state sponsored staff development programs and summer institutes which are directly related to the goals of the selected pilot projects.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 111. (1) The state board of education shall adopt rules as necessary to implement its duties under sections 102 through 113 of this act.

(2) The superintendent of public instruction shall adopt rules as necessary to implement the superintendent's duties under sections 102 through 113 of this act.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 112. (1) The state board of education shall report to the legislature on the progress of the schools for the twenty-first century pilot program by January 15 of each odd-numbered year, including a recommendation on the number of additional pilot schools which should be authorized and funded. The first report shall be submitted by January 15, 1989.

(2) Each school district selected to participate in the schools for the twenty-first century pilot project shall submit an annual report to the state board of education on the progress of the pilot project as a condition of receipt of continued funding.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 113. The superintendent of public instruction, through the state clearinghouse for education information, shall collect and disseminate to all school districts and other interested parties information about the schools for the twenty-first century pilot projects.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 114. Sections 101 through 113 of this act shall expire June 30, 1994.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 115. Sections 101 through 113 of this act are necessary for the immediate preservation of the public peace, health, and safety, the support of the state government and its existing public institutions, and shall take effect immediately.

PART I-B

PRIMARY BLOCK EDUCATION PROGRAMS

NEW SECTION. Sec. 116. A new section is added to Title 28A RCW to read as follows:

The superintendent of public instruction shall develop a model plan for providing support and technical assistance to school districts deciding to develop and implement programs in "continuous progress" or "primary block" education in grades kindergarten through three. The model shall be designed to provide support and technical assistance for district-developed programs that emphasize student progress in and through grades kindergarten through three based on ability and skill rather than age.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 117. A new section is added to Title 28A RCW to read as follows:

The superintendent of public instruction may establish a program to award funds on a grant basis to school districts for pilot primary block education programs. If the superintendent establishes the program, the superintendent shall adopt rules under chapter 34.04 RCW establishing evaluative criteria for the selection of pilot primary block education programs and the award of grants for the programs. The superintendent of public instruction may appoint an advisory committee to assist in establishing the criteria for the selection of pilot primary block education programs and to make recommendations to the superintendent regarding the award of grants.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 118. A new section is added to Title 28A RCW to read as follows:

(1) Pursuant to the establishment of a program to award grants to school districts for pilot primary block education programs as provided under section 117 of this act, school districts shall be required to submit written grant applications to the superintendent of public instruction no later than May 1 of any state fiscal year in which funds may be available for purposes of awarding grants for pilot primary block education programs.

(2) The advisory committee that the superintendent of public instruction may appoint under section 117 of this act, if appointed, shall, no later than May 20 of any state fiscal year in which funds may be available for the purposes of awarding grants for pilot primary block education programs, review the grant applications and make recommendations to the superintendent regarding the award of grants.

(3) The superintendent of public instruction shall select school districts for pilot primary block education program grant awards no later than June 1 of any state fiscal year in which funds may be available for such purposes.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 119. A new section is added to Title 28A RCW to read as follows:

(1) The superintendent of public instruction may accept, receive, and administer for the purposes of section 117 of this act such gifts, grants, and contributions as may be provided from public and private sources for the purposes of section 117 of this act.

(2) There is hereby established a revolving fund known as the primary block education grant program revolving fund into which such gifts, grants, and contributions shall be placed and from which the superintendent of public instruction may make expenditures pursuant to sections 117 through 121 of this act.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 120. A new section is added to Title 28A RCW to read as follows:

The superintendent of public instruction may allocate state funds as may be appropriated or funds otherwise made available for the purposes of section 117 of this act.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 121. A new section is added to Title 28A RCW to read as follows:

The superintendent of public instruction shall submit, biennially, a report to the legislature evaluating the achievement of students who participate in pilot primary block education programs as may be funded through grants awarded by the superintendent of public instruction under section 117 of this act.

PART II

TEACHING AS A PROFESSION

NEW SECTION. Sec. 201. The legislature intends to enhance the education of the state's youth by improving the quality of teaching. The legislature intends to establish a framework for teacher and principal preparation programs and to recognize teaching as a profession.

The legislature finds that the quality of teacher preparation programs is enhanced when a planned, sequenced approach is used that provides for the application of practice to academic course work. The legislature also finds that graduates of teacher preparation programs conducted by institutions of higher education in Washington complete, on the average, an additional three quarters of academic study beyond the minimum study requirements for most baccalaureate degrees.

The legislature intends to support continued progress toward the goal of better integration among the elements integral to quality teacher preparation programs including the elements of general knowledge acquisition, specialization in an academic field, educational pedogogy acquisition, and actual teaching experiences.

The legislature finds that establishing: (1) A teaching internship program; (2) a post-baccalaureate program resulting in a master's level degree; (3) stronger requirements for earning principal credentials; and (4) a review of the preparation standards for school principals and educational staff associates are appropriate next steps in enhancing the quality of educational personnel in Washington.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 202. A new section is added to chapter 28A.67 RCW to read as follows:

The state board of education shall develop appropriate standards for a teacher internship program. The state board of education shall consult with institutions of higher education offering teacher preparation programs and other groups or organizations having an interest in teacher preparation issues as it develops the standards. The state board of education shall also take into consideration the means by which the internship program may be coordinated with a teacher assistance program.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 203. A new section is added to chapter 28A.04 RCW to read as follows:

(1) The state board of education and the higher education coordinating board shall work cooperatively to develop the standards for the implementation of a post-baccalaureate education preparation program that results in the acquisition of a masters-level degree in teaching. The program shall: (a) Build upon the program of courses required for teacher certification as provided by RCW 28A.04.120 (1) and (2); and (b) provide for the application of academic theory to classroom practice.

(2) In developing the standards under subsection (1) of this section, the state board of education shall consult with institutions of higher education offering teacher preparation programs, the higher education coordinating board, and other groups or organizations having an interest in teacher preparation issues.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 204. A new section is added to chapter 28A.70 RCW to read as follows:

The state board of education shall implement rules providing that all teachers performing instructional duties and acquiring continuing level certificate status after August 31, 1993, shall possess, as a requirement of continuing status, a masters degree in a liberal arts field, a masters degree in a science field, or a masters degree in teaching as provided for by section 203 of this act.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 205. A new section is added to chapter 28A.04 RCW to read as follows:

The state board of education shall review and develop standards which address the minimum professional educational requirements necessary for initial certification for persons entering education from other fields.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 206. A new section is added to Title 28A RCW to read as follows:

The legislature finds that principals in effective schools have high degrees of skill as managers and instructional leaders. The legislature intends to support the continued development of these skills by:

(1) Establishing an administrators' academy;

(2) Requiring the adoption of further rules regarding principal certification by the state board of education; and

(3) Providing for the review of the preparation standards for school principals.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 207. A new section is added to Title 28A RCW to read as follows:

The superintendent of public instruction shall develop, in cooperation with an academy advisory committee, and implement an administrators' academy.

(1) The superintendent of public instruction shall establish the academy advisory committee which shall be comprised of at least twelve members appointed by the superintendent of public instruction and which shall include persons representing the state board of education, school administrators, classroom teachers, local school directors, principals, and institutions of higher education offering school administrator training programs.

(2) The superintendent of public instruction shall appoint an individual to serve as director for the academy and as ex officio chairperson of the advisory committee with full voting privileges.

(3) The superintendent of public instruction shall adopt rules as necessary for the establishment and operation of the administrators' academy and the academy advisory committee.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 208. A new section is added to Title 28A RCW to read as follows:

The school administrators' academy shall focus on methods of developing and refining the administrative and leadership skills of school administrators. The academy program shall complement other staff development programs offered by specialized or general professional associations and may operate in conjunction with such programs. The superintendent of public instruction is directed to include in the academy program components that will provide for:

(1) A needs assessment for each academy participant;

(2) An academy curriculum designed to meet the needs established by the assessment of the participants;

(3) Continued opportunity to review and reinforce the skills learned as a result of participation in the academy;

(4) Cost-sharing provisions for participating administrators; and

(5) Procedures for evaluation of the administrators' academy.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 209. A new section is added to Title 28A RCW to read as follows:

The superintendent of public instruction shall submit a report on the implementation and progress of the school administrators' academy to the legislature and the state board of education by January 1989.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 210. A new section is added to Title 28A RCW to read as follows:

The state board of education shall adopt rules requiring candidates for administrative certification to complete the following requirements in addition to others that may be established by the board:

(1) After August 31, 1993, the candidate shall hold a valid continuing level teacher or educational staff associate certificate at the time of application for the initial level principal certificate.

(2) The candidate for a continuing level principal certificate shall complete a course of study through the administrators' academy or other training program approved or endorsed by the superintendent of public instruction and offered by specialized or general professional associations.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 211. The state board of education shall review the requirements of preparation programs for school principals and educational staff associates. The results of this review shall be reported to the legislature on or before December 15, 1988, and shall address:

(1) The appropriateness of existing preparation standards as they relate to the needs of persons fulfilling the role of principal or any one of the educational staff associate roles.

(2) Procedures for selection of persons to attend principal preparation programs.

(3) Procedures for recruitment and selection of principal candidates who reflect the racial, ethnic, and gender composition of the school population; and

(4) Provisions for an internship program for principal candidates, the provision of release time equivalent to not less than one academic semester from normal duties for the interns, and the establishment of mentor principals and supervision by faculty from a public or independent institution of higher education.

(5) This section shall expire December 16, 1988.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 212. The state board of education shall monitor the development of studies for establishing a national teacher assessment and certification process and advise the legislature on the applicability of a national teacher assessment and certification process for this state and report to the legislature by January 15, 1990.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 213. The state board of education and the office of the superintendent of public instruction shall review the provisions of the interstate agreement on qualifications of educational personnel under chapter 28A.93 RCW, and advise the governor and the legislature on which interstate reciprocity provisions will require amendment to be consistent with sections 201 through 205 of this act by January 15, 1989.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 214. The superintendent of public instruction shall provide technical assistance to the state board of education in the conduct of the activities described in sections 201 through 215 of this act.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 215. The higher education coordinating board and the state board of education shall develop recommended legislation for programs to enhance the master in teaching degree program and report to the legislature by December 1, 1988. Recommendations for programs to be implemented beginning with the 1989 school year shall include but not be limited to:

(1) Graduate scholarships for master in teaching degree candidates, especially minorities, the disadvantaged, and the needy.

(2) Undergraduate work study programs for persons intending to enter a master in teaching program to provide services in the common schools.

This section shall expire December 15, 1988.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 216. A new section is added to Title 28B RCW to read as follows:

The state's public and private institutions of higher education offering teacher preparation programs and school districts are encouraged to explore ways to facilitate faculty exchanges, and other cooperative arrangements, to generate increased awareness and understanding by higher education faculty of the common school teaching experience and increased awareness and understanding by common school faculty of the teacher preparation programs.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 217. Sections 202 through 216 of this act shall be known as the professional excellence act of 1987.

PART III

STAFF DEVELOPMENT

Sec. 301. Section 2, chapter 189, Laws of 1977 ex. sess. as last amended by section 1, chapter 214, Laws of 1985 and RCW 28A.71.210 are each amended to read as follows:

The superintendent of public instruction is hereby empowered to administer funds now or hereafter appropriated for the conduct of in-service training programs for public school certificated and classified personnel and to supervise the conduct of such programs. The superintendent of public instruction shall adopt rules in accordance with chapter 34.04 RCW that provide for the allocation of such funds to public school district or educational service district applicants on such conditions and for such training programs as he or she deems to be in the best interest of the public school system: PROVIDED, That each district requesting such funds shall have:

(1) Conducted a district needs assessment , including plans developed at the building level, to be reviewed and updated at least every two years, of certificated and classified personnel to determine identified strengths and weakness of personnel that would be strengthened by such in-service training program;

(2) Established an in-service training task force and demonstrated to the superintendent of public instruction that the task force has participated in identifying in-service training needs and goals; and

(3) Demonstrated to the superintendent of public instruction its intention to implement the recommendations of the needs assessment and thereafter the progress it has made in providing in-service training as identified in the needs assessment.

The task force required by this section shall be composed of representatives from the ranks of administrators, building principals, teachers, classified and support personnel employed by the applicant school district or educational service district, from the public, and from an institution(s) of higher education, in such numbers as shall be established by the school district board of directors or educational service district board of directors.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 302. (1) The superintendent of public instruction shall appoint a temporary task force to: (a) Survey or otherwise identify state and local district requirements on teachers to complete various forms; (b) recommend to school districts ways in which local reporting requirements might be combined and streamlined; and (c) develop ways in which state reporting requirements might be combined and streamlined.

(2) This section shall expire June 30, 1988.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 303. Section 4, chapter 422, Laws of 1985 (uncodified) is hereby repealed.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 304. Section 303 of this act is necessary for the immediate preservation of the public peace, health, and safety, the support of the state government and its existing public institutions, and shall take effect June 15, 1987.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 305. 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.