SENATE BILL REPORT

                  SHB 2326

                    As of February 14, 1996

Title:  An act relating to demonstrating basic skills for entrance into a teacher preparation program.

Brief Description:  Changing requirements for admission to teacher preparation programs.

Sponsors:  House Committee on Education (originally sponsored by Representatives Radcliff, Brumsickle and Carlson; by request of Board of Education).

Brief History:

Committee Activity:  Education:  2/15/96.

SENATE COMMITTEE ON EDUCATION

Staff:  Leslie Goldstein (786-7424).

Background:  Under current law, an individual may not be admitted into a teacher preparation program without first demonstrating that he or she is competent in the basic skills of oral and written communication and computation. 

Competency in basic skills can be demonstrated by:

$having a BA or graduate degree; or

$having completed two or more years of college-level course work, having demonstrated competency through college-level course work and a written essay, and being over the age of 21; or

$having a combined score equal to or greater than the statewide median score on a general achievement test.

Summary of Bill:   Current law is modified regarding how an applicant to a teacher preparation program must demonstrate competency in basic skills.  All applicants regardless of age may demonstrate competency in the basic skills through the completion of two or more years of college-level course work and a written essay.  Also, applicants may demonstrate competency through an examination specifically designed to assess basic skills.

Competency in reading is added to the list of basic skills that must be demonstrated by applicants prior to admission.

The state Board of Education makes recommendations by January 1997, as to whether a single uniform test of basic skills should be required for admission to teacher preparation programs and as a requirement for out-of-state teachers applying for certification in Washington.

Appropriation:  None.

Fiscal Note:  Available.

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