FINAL BILL REPORT

                 SHB 2277

                         C 115 L 94

                     Synopsis as Enacted

Brief Description:  Changing teacher evaluations for teachers with at least four years of satisfactory evaluations.

By House Committee on Education (originally sponsored by Representatives Jones, Dorn, R. Meyers, Schmidt, Pruitt, Karahalios, Holm, Kessler, Zellinsky, Brough, Mastin, Patterson, Basich and J. Kohl).

House Committee on Education

Senate Committee on Education

Background: Under current law, classroom teachers and other certificated support staff must be observed twice during the school year for a total of 60 minutes with a written evaluation following each observation.  This evaluation is often referred to as a "summative" evaluation.

After four years of employment, this evaluation procedure is only required every third year.  During the other two years, a "short evaluation" is permitted with either a 30 minute observation and a written evaluation, or two observations for a total of 60 minutes without a written summary.  This short evaluation cannot be used to determine if an employee's work is unsatisfactory.

Summary:  School districts are given more discretion in evaluating certificated classroom teachers or certificated support staff who have received satisfactory evaluations for four years.  For such employees, districts may use a "short evaluation," a locally bargained evaluation emphasizing professional growth, or a summative evaluation.

However, a summative evaluation is required every three years, unless this time period is extended by the school district under the bargaining process.

Votes on Final Passage:

House  88 2

Senate 31 18

Effective:  September 1, 1994