Brief Summary of Bill

Creates annual bonuses for certificated instructional staff with a bilingual education endorsement and certain paraeducators with an English language learner (ELL) certificate.
Requires the Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction to develop Spanish language arts standards by June 30, 2020.
Allows new teachers without bilingual education or ELL endorsements to be funded by the Transitional Bilingual Instruction Program for up to 24 months if the teacher is enrolled in an endorsement program within six months of transfer or hire.
Extends the expiration date of the K-12 Dual Language Grant Program by six years.

Background:

Transitional Bilingual Instruction Program. English language learners (ELLs) in Washington receive supplemental instruction through the Transitional Bilingual Instruction Program (TBIP), which is the part of the state's program of basic education. Beginning in the 2019-20 school year, all classroom teachers assigned using funds for the TBIP to provide supplemental instruction for eligible pupils must hold an endorsement in bilingual education or English language learner, or both.

Bilingual Education Endorsement. An endorsement is the subject area in which a certificated teacher is authorized to teach, along with designated grade levels for that area. To earn a bilingual education endorsement, among other things candidates must demonstrate a high level of oral and written language proficiency in English through meeting state certification requirements and in an additional language of instruction as demonstrated by performance on a standardized assessment of language proficiency.

Seal of Biliteracy. The Seal of Biliteracy recognizes public high school graduates who have attained a high level of proficiency in speaking, reading, and writing in one or more world languages in addition to English. To earn the Seal of Biliteracy a student must demonstrate proficiency in English by meeting state high school graduation requirements in English and proficiency in one or more world languages other than English. A student may demonstrate proficiency in another world language through multiple methods including nationally or internationally recognized language proficiency tests and competency-based world language credits. The term "world language other than English" includes American Sign Language and Native American languages.

Paraeducator English Language Learner Certificate. Paraeducators work under the supervision of teachers to provide various levels of support, including performing instructional duties, assisting with classroom management, and acting as translators. An ELL certificate is an optional credential a paraeducator working with students in ELL programs (such as the TBIP) may earn by completing 20 hours of professional development that meet specified ELL knowledge and skill competencies. The ELL certificate expires after five years.

Student Learning Standards. The Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI) is responsible for developing and revising the essential academic learning requirements (EALRs) that identify the knowledge and skills all public school students need to know and be able to do based on four basic education learning goals established by the Legislature. Before developing or revising the EALRs, the OSPI must notify the State Board of Education of its intention and provide specified information about its plans.

There are learning standards available in 14 subject areas, including English language arts, English language proficiency, mathematics, science, and world languages.

Kindergarten through Grade 12 Dual Language Grant Program. A dual language (DL) program is an instructional model that provides content-based instruction to students in two languages, generally English and a target language other than English that is spoken in the local community. Typically, the programs begin at kindergarten or first grade and continue through elementary school.

In 2017, the K-12 DL Grant Program was created grow capacity for high quality DL programs in the common schools and in state-tribal compact schools. Grants are awarded on a competitive basis to establish a DL program or expand a recently established DL program. The program expires on July 1, 2020.

Summary of Bill:

Transitional Bilingual Instruction Program. Teachers with less than one year of teaching experience, who do not hold an endorsement in bilingual education or English language learner (ELL) may be funded by the Transitional Bilingual Instruction Program for a period of 24 months, if the teacher is enrolled in a bilingual education endorsement program or an ELL endorsement program within six months of the teacher's date of transfer or hire.

Bonuses for Bilingual Educators. Certificated instructional staff who have attained a bilingual education endorsement must receive a bonus each year they maintain the endorsement. In the 2019-20 school year, the lump sum bonus is $5,000; thereafter, it increases by inflation annually.

Instructional paraeducators who have attained an ELL certificate and demonstrate proficiency in a language other than English on a standardized test, achieving a level of proficiency comparable to that expected of students who earn the Seal of Biliteracy, must receive a bonus each year they maintain the certificate. In the 2019-20 school year, the lump sum bonus is $1,500; thereafter, it increases by inflation annually.

Spanish Language Arts Standards. Subject to state funding, by June 30, 2020, the Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction must: (1) develop Spanish language arts standards; (2) contract with an organization to conduct a bias and sensitivity review of the proposed Spanish language arts standards; and (3) provide professional learning outreach to school districts to help educators implement the Spanish language arts standards.

Dual Language Grant Program. The expiration date of the K-12 Dual Language Grant Program is extended six years to July 1, 2026.