FINAL BILL REPORT

                            SB 6074

                          C 279 L 94

                      SYNOPSIS AS ENACTED

Brief Description:  Changing the Washington award for excellence.

SPONSORS: Senator Gaspard

SENATE COMMITTEE ON EDUCATION

SENATE COMMITTEE ON WAYS & MEANS

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON EDUCATION

BACKGROUND:

In 1986, the Washington Award for Excellence in Education Program was created to recognize teachers and principals, a superintendent, and a school board for their leadership, contributions, and commitment to education.  In subsequent years, administrators other than principals, educational staff associates, and classified staff have been made eligible for recognition.

Under the program, in a public ceremony, each recipient receives a certificate from the Governor and Superintendent of Public Instruction.  In addition, recipients may select a fiscal option to go with the certificate:

-The school district superintendent may choose between a recognition stipend up to $1,000 or an educational grant not to exceed $1,000.

-The school district board of directors may select an educational grant not to exceed $2,500.

-Teachers, principals or administrators, and classified staff may choose between 1) an academic grant equal to actual costs of tuition and fees for up to 45-quarter/30-semester credits based on U.W. resident graduate, part-time cost per credit hour, and a $1,000 stipend if funded; 2) a recognition stipend up to $1,000, or 3) an educational grant up to $1,000.

The number of fiscal options available to recipients has made it difficult to predict program costs from one year to the next.  Also, changes to the academic grant (formerly a waiver of tuition and fees) have resulted in program administrative difficulties.  Simplifying the fiscal options will make budgeting for the program more predictable and ease program administration.

SUMMARY:

Beginning with 1994 recipients, the current three fiscal options available to teachers, principals or administrators, classified staff, and the superintendent are reduced to a single recognition award of at least $2,500 for teachers, principals or administrators, classified staff, and the superintendent of a second class school district (fewer than 2,000 students).  If the superintendent is from a first class district (2,000 or more students), the award is at least $1,000.  Each recipient determines how he or she will use the recognition award.

The $2,500 educational grant for the recognized school board is not changed.

Recipients of a Washington Award for Excellence in Education selected prior to January 1, 1994, are not affected.  However, pre-1994 recipients who have selected the academic grant option must complete any courses paid via the grant by June 30, 1998.  Also, pre-1994 recipients who have selected the academic grant may, subject to funds being available, convert the remaining value of the grant into a recognition award.

VOTES ON FINAL PASSAGE:

Senate    47   0

House     96   0    (House amended)

Senate             (Senate refused to concur)

House              (House refused to recede)

Conference Committee

House     96   0

Senate    46   0

EFFECTIVE:April 1, 1994 (Section 4)

June 9, 1994