HOUSE BILL REPORT

HB 1739

BYRepresentatives Peery, Betrozoff, G. Fisher, Rayburn, Valle, Cole, Holland, Rasmussen, P. King, Moyer, Miller, Van Luven, Winsley, May, Todd and Wood; by request of Superintendent of Public Instruction

Revising provisions for annual basic education allocation of funds.

House Committe on Education

Majority Report:  Do pass.  (18)

      Signed by Representatives Peery, Chair; G. Fisher, Vice Chair; Betrozoff, Ranking Republican Member; Brumsickle, Cole, Dorn, Fuhrman, Holland, Horn, Jones, P. King, Phillips, Pruitt, Rasmussen, Rayburn, Valle, Walker and K. Wilson.

House Staff:Susan Patrick (786-7111)

AS REPORTED BY COMMITTEE ON EDUCATION FEBRUARY 16, 1989

BACKGROUND:

In the past biennium, the state has allocated 48 certificated instructional staff per 1,000 full time equivalent students in grades kindergarten through third for the 1987-88 school year.  The number of certificated instructional staff was increased to 49 per 1,000 in the 1988-89 school year.

SUMMARY:

The allocation for the student teacher ratio shall be based on 50 certificated instruction staff per 1,000 full time equivalent students in grades kindergarten through third in the 1989-90 school year.  The number of instructional certificated staff shall increase to 51 certificated instruction staff per 1,000 full time equivalent students in grades kindergarten through three for the 1990-91 school year.  Money must be used for this purpose subject to facilities limitations and availability of certificated instructional staff with appropriate endorsements.  The money may be used for additional certificated or classified staff that works directly with children.

Fiscal Note:      Requested February 3, 1989.

House Committee ‑ Testified For:    Don Johnson, Superintendent of Public Instruction; Karen Davis, Washington Education Association; and Kris Van Gorkom, Washington Association of School Administrators.

House Committee - Testified Against:      None Presented.

House Committee - Testimony For:    We believe it is important to continue efforts to reduce class size by hiring additional certificated instructional staff for grades kindergarten through three. This is an issue of importance to parents, as well as teachers.  We want the money spent to reduce class size in grades kindergarten through three. However, we must recognize the problem caused by lack of classroom space or teachers with the proper endorsements.  In those cases we would allow the hiring of other staff to directly work with students.

House Committee - Testimony Against:      None Presented.