HOUSE BILL REPORT

                  HB 2913

             As Reported By House Committee On:

                      Higher Education

Title:  An act relating to the future teachers conditional scholarship.

Brief Description:  Changing the future teachers conditional scholarship program.

Sponsors:  Representative Fuhrman.

Brief History:

  Committee Activity:

Higher Education:  2/1/96 [DP].

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON HIGHER EDUCATION

Majority Report:  Do pass.  Signed by 11 members:  Representatives Carlson, Chairman; Mulliken, Vice Chairman; Jacobsen, Ranking Minority Member; Mason, Assistant Ranking Minority Member; Basich; Benton; Blanton; Delvin; Goldsmith; Scheuerman and Sheahan.

Staff:  Suzi Morrissey (786-7120).

Background:  The future teachers' conditional scholarship program was created in 1987.  The program was designed to attract into the teaching profession individuals who demonstrated outstanding academic achievement and who are likely to be good role models for students.  The program was administered by the Higher Education Coordinating Board (HECB).

Through the program, a small number of students who wished to become teachers could receive up to $3,000 per year for up to five years to attend an accredited public or independent college or university in Washington.  Participants incurred an obligation to repay the scholarship, with interest, unless they taught in Washington's public schools for 10 years.

The annual budget of the program was $300,000.  The program was scheduled to expire June 30, 1995.  Although the program was allowed to continue, no appropriated funds were provided for scholarships for the 1995-97 biennium.

Summary of Bill:  Participants in the future teacher conditional scholarship program may repay their service obligations by teaching in approved education programs.  Approved education programs are education programs offered in Washington for knowledge and skills generally learned in preschool through 12th grade.  The programs include, but are not limited to the common schools, early childhood education and assistance programs, Head Start, education centers, approved private schools, tribal schools, English as a second language, and high school completion or equivalency programs offered by community and technical colleges.

Instead of teaching for 10 years in a public school, each participant in the program may meet his or her service obligation by teaching in an approved program for two years for each year of scholarship received.  Finally, the board may cancel the repayment obligation of a recipient if the recipient dies or becomes totally disabled.

Appropriation:  None.

Fiscal Note:  Not requested.

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

Testimony For:  Some participants in the Future Teacher Conditional Scholarship program have received the scholarship for five years.  Other students have received the scholarship for one or two years.  However, all participants must teach for the same amount of time, 10 years, to repay their service obligations.  It would be more equitable if students were obligated to teach for two years for each year of scholarship received.

Testimony Against:  None.

Testified:  Representative Steve Fuhrman, prime sponsor; and Susan Patrick, Higher Education Coordinating Board (pro).