HOUSE BILL REPORT

                 ESSB 5615

             As Reported By House Committee On:

                          Education

Title:  An act relating to teacher recruitment.

Brief Description:  Moving the teachers recruiting future teachers program from the office of the superintendent of public instruction to the professional development centers in educational service districts.

Sponsors:  Senate Committee on Education (originally sponsored by Senators M. Rasmussen and Oke; by request of Superintendent of Public Instruction).

Brief History:

  Reported by House Committee on:

Education, March 30, 1993, DP.

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON EDUCATION

Majority Report:  Do pass.  Signed by 15 members:  Representatives Dorn, Chair; Cothern, Vice Chair; Brumsickle; Carlson; G. Cole; Eide; G. Fisher; Hansen; Holm; Jones; Karahalios; J. Kohl; Pruitt; Roland; and Stevens.

Minority Report:  Do not pass.  Signed by 3 members:  Representatives Brough, Ranking Minority Member; Thomas, Assistant Ranking Minority Member; and Vance.

Staff:  Robert Butts (786-7111).

Background:  Each educational service district (ESD) is required to establish a Center for the Improvement of Teaching.  These centers are also referred to as professional development centers.  Within available resources, the centers are responsible for administering, coordinating, and acting as fiscal agents for programs for recruiting and training certificated and classified educational personnel.

In 1991, the Legislature created the Teachers Recruiting Future Teachers Program.  The Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI) was given responsibility for administering the program.  In developing and implementing the program, OSPI and its contractor have worked with the centers for the Improvement of Teaching.

Promotion of an annual Education Week Program at Central Washington University also was included in the Teachers Recruiting Future Teachers legislation.  This Education Week Program is no longer being conducted at Central Washington University.

Summary of Bill:  The Teachers Recruiting Future Teachers Program is transferred from the OSPI to the professional development centers located in educational service districts. 

As part of the program, the professional development centers are required to place special emphasis on recruiting future teachers who represent the diversity of public school populations, and on recruiting future teachers who will teach mathematics, science and technology.

References to the Education Week Program at Central Washington University are deleted.

Fiscal Note:  Available.

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

Testimony For:  We need to start working with students at an early age to ensure we attract qualified teachers into the profession.

Testimony Against:  None.

Witnesses:  Jacqueline Simonds (supports).