SENATE BILL REPORT

                   HB 2913

              As Reported By Senate Committee On:

              Higher Education, February 20, 1996

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:  2/19/96, 2/20/96 [DP].

SENATE COMMITTEE ON HIGHER EDUCATION

Majority Report:  Do pass.

  Signed by Senators Bauer, Chair; Kohl, Vice Chair; Drew, Hale, McAuliffe, Prince, Sheldon, Wood and Zarelli.

Staff:  Jean Six (786-7423)

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 ten 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 Teachers 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 ten 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:  The goal of this bill is to make the loan obligation equitable.  The fiscal impact of this change is insignificant.

Testimony Against:  None.

Testified:  Susan Patrick, HEC Board.