Washington State

House of Representatives

Office of Program Research

BILL

ANALYSIS

Education Committee

HB 1178

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.

Brief Description: Authorizing alternative assessments of basic skills for teacher certification.

Sponsors: Representatives Lytton, Maxwell, Santos, Seaquist, Reykdal, Sullivan, Fitzgibbon, Ryu, Pollet, Stanford, Tharinger and Jinkins.

Brief Summary of Bill

  • Permits the Professional Educator Standards Board to identify and accept alternatives to the basic skills assessment that are used as a requirement for admission to teacher preparation programs and for out-of-state applicants for Washington teacher certificates.

  • Requires that alternative tests be comparable in rigor to the basic skills assessment.

  • Requires alternative tests be reviewed by the education committees of the legislature before implementation.

Hearing Date: 1/31/13

Staff: Luke Wickham (786-7146).

Background:

The Professional Educator Standards Board (PESB) is a thirteen-member board responsible for establishing requirements for state certification of educators and approving educator preparation and certification programs.

Current law requires passage of a basic skills test for admission to approved teacher preparation programs and for persons from out-of-state applying for a Washington teaching certificate. The basic skills that are assessed in this test must include at least reading, writing, and mathematics.

The PESB established the Washington Educator Skills Test Basic (WEST-B) as the requirement for admission to PESB-approved teacher preparation programs in August, 2002. This test is also required for persons from out-of-state seeking a Washington State residency teaching certificate. The WEST-B contains three sub-tests that measure basic skills in reading, mathematics, and writing. Passage of all three sub-tests is required to meet the WEST-B requirement.

Summary of Bill:

The PESB may identify and accept other tests and test scores for admission to approved teacher preparation programs and for out-of-state Washington teaching certificate applicants.

These alternative tests must be comparable in rigor to the basic skills assessment and candidates must meet or exceed the basic skills requirements established by the board.

The PESB must submit tests and test scores to the education committees of the legislature for review and must provide an opportunity for the legislature to act before the tests are implemented.

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.