HOUSE BILL REPORT

                     SHB 1598

                              As Passed House

                             February 10, 1992

Title:  An act relating to financial aid.

Brief Description:  Enhancing the future teacher conditional scholarship program.

Sponsor(s):  By House Committee on Higher Education (originally sponsored by Representatives Basich, Jacobsen, Hine, Peery, Hargrove, Sheldon, Jones, H. Myers, Winsley and G. Fisher).

Brief History:

   Reported by House Committee on:

Higher Education, February 21, 1991, DPS;

Passed House, March 19, 1991, 98-0;

Passed House, February 10, 1992, 94-0.

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON

HIGHER EDUCATION

Majority Report: That Substitute House Bill No. 1598 be substituted therefor, and the substitute bill do pass.  Signed by 10 members:  Representatives Jacobsen, Chair; Ogden, Vice Chair; Wood, Ranking Minority Member; May, Assistant Ranking Minority Member; Basich; Dellwo; Fraser; Ludwig; Sheldon; and Spanel. 

Staff:  Susan Hosch (786-7120).

Background:  The Future Teachers' Conditional Scholarship Program was established in 1987.  The program was designed to attract academically proficient students, including students who can act as role models for students from minority backgrounds, into the teaching profession.  High school seniors and college students who intend to teach are eligible to participate.  Participants may receive up to $3,000 per year to attend an accredited college or university in the state of Washington.  Students are eligible to receive a conditional scholarship for a maximum of five years. 

Students incur an obligation to repay the scholarship, with interest, unless they teach in Washington's public schools for 10 years. 

North Carolina has a similar program.  However, in the North Carolina Teaching Fellows Program, participants receive special programs, activities, and seminars.  These special events are designed both to enrich the students' college educations and to give them a chance to work closely with excellent teachers in the common schools.

Summary of Bill:  The way that a scholarship recipient may meet his or her service obligation is expanded.  A recipient may either teach in the public schools for 10 years, or the recipient may teach in an approved education program for the same length of time.  Approved education programs are education programs offered in Washington by the federal government, public schools, Indian tribes, or community colleges.  The programs include, but are not limited to: Head Start, early childhood education, developmental education, educational clinics, English as a Second Language, and basic skills.

Each four-year college and university educating scholarship recipients is strongly encouraged to provide scholarship recipients with a program designed to enrich the recipients' college experiences and to encourage them to enter the teaching profession.  The Higher Education Coordinating Board will consult with the institutions on each enrichment program. 

While each institution's program may vary, some suggested elements are described.  These elements include providing participants with faculty mentors, and with special programs, seminars, events and activities.  Participants may also receive opportunities that will help them to develop leadership skills.  Other recommended components include internships and cooperative ventures with the common schools.

Fiscal Note:  Available.

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

Testimony For:  None.

Testimony Against:  None.

Witnesses:  None.