SENATE BILL REPORT

                   SB 5908

              As Reported By Senate Committee On:

                 Education, February 28, 1995

Title:  An act relating to internship credit for teachers.

Brief Description:  Authorizing clock hours for teachers participating in internships.

Sponsors:  Senators McAuliffe, Rasmussen and Bauer.

Brief History:

Committee Activity:  Education:  2/24/95, 2/28/95 [DPA].

SENATE COMMITTEE ON EDUCATION

Majority Report:  Do pass as amended.

  Signed by Senators McAuliffe, Chair; Pelz, Vice Chair; Gaspard and Rasmussen.

Staff:  Susan Mielke (786-7422)

Background:  Washington State uses teachers' educational level and teaching experience to determine the allocation to districts for teacher salaries.  Teachers may use academic and in‑service credits to count as additional education on the salary allocation schedule.  Academic credits are those earned at regionally accredited post‑secondary institutions of higher education that apply towards a bachelors or higher degree.  In‑service credits are those earned at in‑service courses offered by a provider approved by the State Board of Education.  Ten clock hours of approved in-service training is equivalent to one academic credit.

Under current law, internships do not count as additional education on the salary allocation schedule.

Summary of Amended Bill:  For the purposes of advancement on the salary allocation schedule, teachers and other certificated personnel can earn one academic credit for each 25 clock hours of participation in an approved internship with business, industry, or government. 

The date when teachers may begin to acquire internship hours is December 31, 1995.

Amended Bill Compared to Original Bill:  The date when teachers may begin to acquire internship hours is changed from August 31, 1995 to December 31, 1995.  This allows the State Board of Education time to adopt rules for approving internships.

Appropriation:  None.

Fiscal Note:  Requested on February 20, 1995.

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

Testimony For:  This bill provides a way to make curriculum relevant to both students and teachers by providing opportunities for teachers to gain experience in business, industry and government.

Testimony Against:  None.

Testified:  Doreen Mykol, State Board of Education; Kathleen Lopp, Randy Lippold, Tom Lopp, WVA; Randy Dorn.