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ENGROSSED SUBSTITUTE SENATE BILL NO. 6160
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State of Washington 50th Legislature 1988 Regular Session
By Senate Committee on Education (originally sponsored by Senator Bailey)
Read first time 2/5/88.
AN ACT Relating to education; providing baccalaureate and masters degree equivalencies for certification of vocational instructors; and amending RCW 28A.70.040, 28A.70.042, and 28A.70.005.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:
Sec. 1. Section 212, chapter 525, Laws of 1987 and RCW 28A.70.040 are each amended to read as follows:
(1) The state board of education shall adopt rules providing that all individuals qualifying for an initial-level teaching certificate after August 31, 1992, shall possess a baccalaureate degree in the arts, sciences, and/or humanities and have fulfilled the requirements for teacher certification pursuant to RCW 28A.04.120 (1) and (2): PROVIDED, That the state board of education shall develop baccalaureate degree equivalency standards for certification of vocational instructors. However, candidates for grades preschool through six certificates shall have fulfilled the requirements for a major as part of their baccalaureate degree. If the major is in early childhood education, elementary education, or special education, the candidate must have at least thirty quarter hours or twenty semester hours in one academic field.
(2) The state board of education shall study the impact of eliminating the major in education under subsection (1) of this section and submit a report to the legislature by January 15, 1990. The report shall include a recommendation on whether the major in education under subsection (1) of this section should be eliminated.
(3) The initial certificate shall be valid for two years.
(4) Certificate holders may renew the certificate for a three-year period by providing proof of acceptance and enrollment in an approved masters degree program. A second renewal, for a period of two years, may be granted upon recommendation of the degree-granting institution and if the certificate holder can demonstrate substantial progress toward the completion of the masters degree and that the degree will be completed within the two-year extension period. Under no circumstances may an initial certificate be valid for a period of more than seven years.
Sec. 2. Section 215, chapter 525, Laws of 1987 and RCW 28A.70.042 are each amended to read as follows:
(1) The state board of education shall implement rules providing that all teachers performing instructional duties and acquiring professional level certificate status after August 31, 1992, shall possess, as a requirement of professional status, a masters degree in teaching, or a masters degree in the arts, sciences, and/or humanities.
(2) The state board of education shall develop and adopt rules establishing masters degree equivalency standards for vocational instructors performing instructional duties and acquiring professional level certification after August 31, 1992.
Sec. 3. Section 28A.70.005, chapter 223, Laws of 1969 ex. sess. as last amended by section 8, chapter 486, Laws of 1987 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 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 rules shall require that the initial application for certification shall require a background check of the applicant through the Washington state patrol criminal identification system at the applicant's expense.
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: PROVIDED, That supplemental and apprenticeship program instructors in public vocational-technical institutes may be certified by a vocational-technical institute and public vocational-technical institutes may enter into reciprocity agreements with other public vocational-technical institutes to recognize certified staff. An annual report shall be submitted by June 30 to the superintendent of public instruction identifying the individuals certified by each public vocational-technical institute.