HOUSE BILL REPORT

                  HB 2217

             As Reported By House Committee on:

                          Education

Title:  An act relating to educators.

Brief Description:  Adopting the educator accountability and inservice act.

Sponsor(s):  Representatives Valle, Winsley, Peery, Hine, Pruitt, Ebersole, Riley, Fraser, Rasmussen and Phillips.

Brief History:

  Reported by House Committee on:

Education, February 6, 1992, DPS.

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON

EDUCATION

Majority Report: The substitute bill be substituted therefor and the substitute bill do pass.  Signed by 12 members:  Representatives Peery, Chair; G. Fisher, Vice Chair; Broback; G. Cole; P. Johnson; Jones; J. Kohl; Orr; Rasmussen; Roland; H. Sommers; and Valle.

Minority Report: Do not pass.  Signed by 5 members:  Representatives Brough, Ranking Minority Member; Vance, Assistant Ranking Minority Member; Brumsickle; Carlson; and Neher.

Staff:  Margaret Allen (786-7191).

Background:

Two recurring themes in discussions of how to maintain a quality educational system include: (1) the need to help educators renew themselves and further their skills; and (2) the need to increase connections between the school environment and society at large.

It has been suggested that the Legislature create an entity responsible for facilitating and coordinating efforts to meet these needs.

Summary of Substitute Bill:

The University of Washington is required to develop a plan for an educator academy.  In devising the plan, the university is required to seek advice from representatives of a variety of interests, including education, students, parents, business, and industry.

The academy is to be service- and research-oriented, and to provide a collaborative environment for higher education faculty, teachers, and the community.  Its goal will be to supplement and enhance the efforts of such entities as the University of Washington, the Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction, Educational Service Districts, and local school districts.

The University of Washington is required to submit the plan for an educator academy to the Legislature by January 10, 1993.

Substitute Bill Compared to Original Bill:

The original bill had three main parts.  The first part established an educator disciplinary board pilot project.  The second part created an educator academy to develop programs for educator professional growth and renewal.  The third part required the state of Washington to loan an educator one-half of the tuition cost for a master's degree.

The substitute replaces all three parts with the requirement that the University of Washington develop a plan for an educator academy.

Fiscal Note:  Requested January 14, 1992.

Effective Date of Substitute Bill:  The bill contains an emergency clause and takes effect immediately.

Testimony For:  This bill advances new educational concepts, and formalizes the idea of providing a collaborative environment for educators and the community.  An educator academy could serve a remedial function for educators needing redirection, and also would bring such educators into contact with stellar educators who come to the academy for professional renewal and enrichment.

Testimony Against:  None.

Witnesses:  Representative Georgette Valle, prime sponsor (supports); and Bob Fisher, WEA (supports).