FINAL BILL REPORT

                   SB 6217

                          C 309 L 96

                      Synopsis as Enacted

 

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

 

Sponsors:  Senators Johnson and McAuliffe; by request of Board of Education.

 

Senate Committee on Education

House Committee on Education

 

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 basic skills. A person must earn a combined score on tests of general achievement equal to the statewide median.

 

A person does not have to take the general skills test if the person has a BA or graduate degree, is over 21 and has completed two or more years of college level course work, or can demonstrate competency through college level course work and a written essay.

 

Summary:  Current law is modified regarding how the applicant must demon­strate competency in the basic skills.

 

All applicants regardless of age may demonstrate competency through 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 required for oral and written communication, reading, and computation.

 

Current law is unchanged, and competency may be demonstrated through a baccalaureate or graduate degree.

 

The requirement for a passing score on tests of general achievement (designated as the SAT or ACT by rule of the State Board) is deleted, but may be used to demonstrate competency.

 

The State Board of Education, by January 31, 1997, must make recommendations regarding establishing a uniform test of basic skills as a requirement for admission to a teacher preparation program and as a requirement for out-of-state teachers applying for certification.

 

Votes on Final Passage:

 

Senate    47 0

House     96 1 (House amended)

Senate        (Senate concurred in part)

House     68 25 (House receded in part)

Senate    46 1 (Senate concurred)

 

Effective:  June 6, 1996