SENATE BILL REPORT

                                   EHB 1139

             AS REPORTED BY COMMITTEE ON EDUCATION, APRIL 4, 1991

Brief Description:  Authorizing continuing education credit for teachers for certain out‑of‑state courses.

SPONSORS:Representatives Peery, H. Myers, Brough, Morris, Winsley, Pruitt, Cooper, Jones, Rayburn, Basich, Betrozoff, Miller and G. Fisher.

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON EDUCATION

SENATE COMMITTEE ON EDUCATION

Majority Report:  Do pass as amended.

      Signed by Senators Bailey, Chairman; Erwin, Vice Chairman; Craswell, Murray, Oke, Pelz, Rinehart, A. Smith, and Talmadge. 

Staff:  Susan Mosborg (786‑7439)

Hearing Dates:March 28, 1991; April 4, 1991

BACKGROUND:

In 1986, the State Board of Education approved regulations that require teachers, school administrators, and educational staff associates who obtain continuing certification after August 1987 to complete 150 clock hours of continuing education every five years.  Educational staff associates are school counselors, nurses, psychologists, social workers, occupational and physical therapists, communication disorder specialists and reading specialists.

In 1990, the State Board of Education amended its requirements to make it easier for courses to become approved continuing education courses.  Courses no longer need prior approval by the state board, and individuals are primarily responsible for record keeping.  However, organizations that offer the in-service courses must still be approved.  For organizations other than a college, university, or vocational technical institute, this requires the organization to annually review its courses offered for Washington in-service credit and maintain certain student records according to criteria established in state board rules.  A school district may co-sponsor the organization's courses and fulfill these duties.

Some educational staff associates have expressed concern that there are not enough approved, relevant in-service courses available to them.  

SUMMARY:

Educational staff associates employed as school counselors, nurses, psychologists, social workers, occupational therapists, physical therapists, or communication disorder specialists may use credits earned in the following courses to fulfill any applicable continuing education requirements established by the State Board of Education:  (1) courses eligible for continuing education credit needed to maintain a professional license, and (2) courses offered by a state or national association which is awarding professional continuing education credit to course participants.

Appropriation:  none

Revenue:  none

Fiscal Note:  available

SUMMARY OF PROPOSED SENATE AMENDMENT:

Educational staff associates may use credits or clock hours that satisfy the continuing education requirements for their professional licensure, if any, to fulfill the continuing education requirements established by the State Board of Education.  The provision to grant automatic credit for courses offered by a state or national association awarding professional continuing education credit to course participants is removed.

TESTIMONY FOR:

Some educational staff associates have had trouble finding courses relevant to them that meet the State Board of Education's continuing education requirements.  They end up having to take courses approved for classroom teachers and forego professional workshops and courses that would help them in their jobs.

TESTIMONY AGAINST:  None

TESTIFIED:  Representative Kim Peery, sponsor; Marcia Costello, Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction, State Board of Education