HOUSE BILL REPORT

                  HB 1344

             As Reported By House Committee on:

                          Education

Title:  An act relating to the teachers' salary allocation schedule.

Brief Description:  Delaying limits on teachers' compensation for post baccalaureate credit.

Sponsor(s):  Representatives Winsley, Peery, G. Fisher, Brough, Holland, Vance, Brumsickle, Ferguson and Broback.

Brief History:

  Reported by House Committee on:

Education, February 25, 1991, DP.

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON

EDUCATION

Majority Report: Do pass.  Signed by 18 members:  Representatives Peery, Chair; G. Fisher, Vice Chair; Brough, Ranking Minority Member; Vance, Assistant Ranking Minority Member; Betrozoff; Broback; Brumsickle; Cole; Dorn; Holland; P. Johnson; Jones; Neher; Orr; Rasmussen; Roland; H. Sommers; and Valle.

Staff:  Robert Butts (786-7111).

Background:  During budget negotiations over teacher salaries in the 1989 session, it was decided to allow certificated instructional staff to "carry over" on the allocation schedule credits above 45 post-BA credits that were earned before their master's degree (MA).  In other words, if a teacher had obtained 135 credits in the process of earning an MA, that teacher would be counted as MA+90 on the 1990-91 schedule.

It also was decided during these budget negotiations to eliminate the BA+135 column on the state salary allocation schedule as of January 1, 1992.  However, any instructional staff funded in the BA+135 column prior to January 1, 1992, will be "grandfathered in."  Teachers who have not accumulated 135 post-BA credits by this date will need to earn a master's degree in order to move above the BA+90 column on the state schedule.

Teachers who have less than BA+135 credits, and who are not likely to get a master's degree, such as those who are close to retirement, have requested that elimination of the BA+135 column be postponed to allow them more time to earn additional credits so that they may be "grandfathered in."

Summary of Bill:  The date for eliminating the BA+135 column on the state allocation schedule is delayed five years, from January 1, 1992, to January 1, 1997.

Fiscal Note:  Requested February 6, 1991.

Effective Date:  Ninety days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.

Testimony For:  Teachers need more time to earn credits before the BA+135 column on the allocation schedule is removed.  While it does not make much of a difference to individuals in districts that are not on the allocation schedule, it does for those individuals in districts that are.  The deadline is especially a problem in districts that have recently adopted the state allocation schedule.

Testimony Against:  None.

Witnesses:  Jack Paul, Tacoma Public Schools (in favor); and Bob Maier, Washington Education Association (in favor).