H-0395.1 _______________________________________________
HOUSE BILL 1505
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State of Washington 52nd Legislature 1991 Regular Session
By Representatives Valle, Cole, Brumsickle, Brough, Jacobsen, Paris and Winsley.
Read first time January 31, 1991. Referred to Committee on Education\Appropriations.
AN ACT Relating to a student teacher assistance program; and adding new sections to chapter 28A.630 RCW.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:
NEW SECTION. Sec. 1. The legislature finds that increased cooperation and coordination between institutions of higher education and school districts is necessary as it relates to the induction of new staff into the profession of teaching. Therefore, the superintendent of public instruction shall adopt rules to establish and operate a student teacher assistance program.
NEW SECTION. Sec. 2. Cooperating teachers shall be jointly selected and appointed by school districts and institutions of higher education, and shall hold a continuing or professional certificate. Districts and institutions of higher education shall seek advice from teachers, administrators, and faculty in the selection of persons to be cooperating teachers.
NEW SECTION. Sec. 3. All student teacher interns from a regionally accredited institution of higher education whose professional education preparation program has been approved by the state board of education shall, subject to the rules adopted by the superintendent of public instruction, be provided a cooperating teacher for up to two quarters. The cooperating teacher shall provide a source of continuing and sustained assistance, and training and support, both in and out of the classroom. A cooperating teacher shall be involved in evaluations and recommendations to the institutions of higher education respecting the competency of the student teacher intern. Cooperating teachers shall collaborate with their school principals respecting the support, training, and assistance they provide under this program.
NEW SECTION. Sec. 4. Stipends shall be provided for cooperating teachers by the state at the rate of one thousand dollars per quarter, or fraction thereof, biennially adjusted for inflation. These stipends shall be paid through supplemental contracts. The state operating appropriations act shall provide such funds as are necessary for the required number of cooperating teachers to serve all eligible student teacher interns.
NEW SECTION. Sec. 5. The superintendent of public instruction shall, with the assistance of institutions of higher education, provide workshops for training cooperating teachers, subject to appropriations in the state operating appropriations act. Assistance from current and former cooperating and mentor teachers shall also be sought by the superintendent in preparing and providing the training. Periodic consultation by the superintendent shall be made with representatives of educational organizations and associations, including educational service districts, for the purposes of improving communication and cooperation, and program design and review.
NEW SECTION. Sec. 6. The process for selection of cooperating teachers shall be subject to RCW 41.59.090.
NEW SECTION. Sec. 7. Sections 1 through 6 of this act are each added to chapter 28A.630 RCW.