SENATE BILL REPORT

                           SHB 2277

   AS REPORTED BY COMMITTEE ON EDUCATION, FEBRUARY 23, 1994

Brief Description:  Changing teacher evaluation provisions.

SPONSORS: 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

Majority Report:  Do pass. 

     Signed by Senators Pelz, Chairman; McAuliffe, Vice Chairman; Gaspard, Hochstatter, M. Rasmussen, Rinehart, Skratek and A. Smith.

Staff:  Leslie Goldstein (786‑7424)

Hearing Dates: February 22, 1994; February 23, 1994

BACKGROUND:

The Superintendent of Public Instruction (SPI) is responsible for establishing minimum criteria for the evaluation and development of classroom teachers and certificated support staff.  SPI has also adopted model evaluation programs.

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. 

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:

After a certificated classroom teacher or certificated support staff receives a satisfactory evaluation for four years, districts are given broad discretion in what type of evaluation to use.  Districts may use a "short evaluation," a locally bargained evaluation emphasizing professional growth, or the written evaluation.  Either the employer or employee can require a long evaluation to be used at any time.

The written evaluation is required every three years, unless this time period is extended by the school district under the collective bargaining process.

Appropriation:  none

Revenue:  none

Fiscal Note:  none requested

Effective Date:  September 1, 1994

TESTIMONY FOR:

This bill is a collaborative effort and accommodates the needs of both administrators and teachers.  The bill helps districts change the cycle for evaluating teachers.  Flexibility is promoted through permitting locally designed options.  By permitting either a teacher or administrator to require an evaluation, regulatory authority is increased.

TESTIMONY AGAINST:  None

TESTIFIED:  PRO:  Representative Jones, original prime sponsor; Walker Ball, Association of WA School Principals; Dwayne Slate, WA State School Directors; Ann Randall, WA Education Association