SENATE BILL REPORT

                                    SB 5504

            AS REPORTED BY COMMITTEE ON WAYS & MEANS, MARCH 5, 1991

Brief Description:  Establishing student teaching centers.

SPONSORS:Senators Bauer, Bailey, Rinehart, Saling, Murray, Pelz, Gaspard, Patterson, A. Smith, Sutherland and L. Smith.

SENATE COMMITTEE ON EDUCATION

Majority Report:  Do pass and be referred to Committee on Ways & Means.

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

Staff:  Larry Davis (786‑7422)

Hearing Dates:February 20, 1991; February 26, 1991

SENATE COMMITTEE ON WAYS & MEANS

Majority Report:  That Substitute Senate Bill No. 5504 be substituted therefor, and the substitute bill do pass.

      Signed by Senators McDonald, Chairman; Craswell, Vice Chairman; Bailey, Bauer, Gaspard, Johnson, L. Kreidler, Murray, Newhouse, Niemi, Owen, Rinehart, Saling, West, Williams, and Wojahn.

Staff:  Bill Freund (786-7715)

Hearing Dates:March 4, 1991; March 5, 1991

BACKGROUND:

In 1987, the Legislature directed the State Board of Education to establish a two-year pilot program to enhance the student teaching component of teacher preparation programs.  Four projects were funded to support innovative ways to expand student teaching placements throughout the state and to expand student teaching experiences for prospective teacher candidates.  In 1989, the Legislature extended the original projects one additional year, added a project in Eastern Washington, and required the State Board to submit a final report on the program in December 1990.  The State Board recommends in the final report that the student teaching pilot project program be continued on a permanent basis.

In 1990, the Legislature passed executive request legislation establishing the Excellence in Teacher Preparation program (Teachers Training Teachers).  The program requires that all student teachers shall be provided a cooperating teacher and stipends for cooperating teachers are paid through supplemental contracts from funds provided in the state budget. 

SUMMARY:

The State Board of Education, from appropriated funds, establishes a network of student teaching centers.  At least one center is established in each educational service district.  The purpose of the student teaching centers is to:

      1)Expand student teacher placements in districts statewide, emphasizing populations and locations that are unserved or underserved;

      2)Provide a cooperating teacher for up to two academic quarters for each student teacher;

      3)Enhance the student teaching component of teacher preparation programs, including placement in special education and multi-ethnic school settings; and

      4)Expand access between student teachers and expand opportunities for collaboration between school districts and colleges and universities.

Funds are allocated to the centers by the Superintendent of Public Instruction on the basis of student teaching placements in the educational service districts.  To receive funds, centers must submit documentation indicating:

      A)The existing or proposed center was developed jointly, including participation by at least one school district, one college or university, and one educational service district;

      B)One or more of the cooperating organizations has responsibility for administration of the center; and

      C)The center provides appropriate training in observation, supervision, and assistance skills and techniques to cooperating teachers, other school building personnel, and school district employees.

The student teaching centers are an alternate means of placing student teachers into school districts.  Field experiences, as defined, may be provided through the student teaching center but the cost is the sole responsibility of the participants cooperating in the center's operation.

The Teachers Training Teachers program is repealed and reenacted, establishing a link between the program and the student teaching centers.

EFFECT OF PROPOSED SUBSTITUTE:

The requirement that at least one student teaching center be established in each Educational Service District is deleted.

The appropriation of $2,360,000 to the Superintendent of Public Instruction for the student teaching centers is deleted and the bill is made contingent on funding in the budget.

Appropriation:  none

Revenue:  none

Fiscal Note:  available

TESTIMONY FOR:

The program has allowed teacher candidates, in the student teaching phase of their preparation program, to remain close to their home town.  The Student Teaching Pilot program has fostered new relationships between higher education institutions, school districts, and educational service districts.  Districts have benefitted from the new knowledge and enthusiasm brought to the schools by the student teachers.

TESTIMONY AGAINST:      None

TESTIFIED (Education):  FOR:  Sen. Al Bauer, prime sponsor; Selinda Gongora, student teacher; Margaret Habecker, cooperating teacher; Dr. Robert Harder, Washington State University; Dwayne Slate, Washington State School Directors Association

TESTIFED (Ways & Means):  Beverly Kooi, Saint Martin's College (pro); Margaret Habecker, cooperating teacher; Doug Johnson, teacher (pro); Ken Kanikeberg, Superintendent of Public Instruction's office (pro)