2087-S.E

AN ACT Relating to education credits used to calculate the state salary allocation schedule; amending RCW 28A.150.410 and 28A.415.020; and adding a new section to chapter 28A.410 RCW.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:

Sec. 1. RCW 28A.150.410 and 1990 c 33 s 118 are each amended to read as follows:

(1) The legislature shall establish for each school year in the appropriations act a state-wide salary allocation schedule, for allocation purposes only, to be used to distribute funds for basic education certificated instructional staff salaries under RCW 28A.150.260.

(2) The superintendent of public instruction shall calculate salary allocations for state funded basic education certificated instructional staff by determining the district average salary for basic education instructional staff using the salary allocation schedule established pursuant to this section. However, no district shall receive an allocation based upon an average basic education certificated instructional staff salary which is less than the average of the district's 1986‑87 actual basic education certificated instructional staff salaries, as reported to the superintendent of public instruction prior to June 1, 1987, and the legislature may grant minimum salary increases on that base: PROVIDED, That the superintendent of public instruction may adjust this allocation based upon the education and experience of the district's certificated instructional staff.

(3) Credits earned through in-service continuing education after August 31, 1995, may not be used to determine compensation allocations under the state salary allocation schedule and LEAP documents referenced in the biennial appropriations act, or any replacement schedules and documents.

(4) Credits earned through college quarter-hour credits after August 31, 1995, shall be used to determine compensation allocations under the state salary allocation schedule and LEAP documents referenced in the biennial appropriations act, or any replacement schedules and documents shall be counted only if they are consistent with courses determined by the school district to be consistent with its strategic plan or plan to improve student learning in accordance with the provisions of RCW 28A.300.138. Once credits earned by certificated instructional staff are approved by a school district, the credits shall be counted even if a certificated instructional staff member transfers to other school districts.

(5) Beginning January 1, 1992, no more than ninety college quarter-hour credits received by any employee after the baccalaureate degree may be used to determine compensation allocations under the state salary allocation schedule and LEAP documents referenced in the biennial appropriations act, or any replacement schedules and documents, unless:

(a) The employee has a masters degree; or

(b) The credits were used in generating state salary allocations before January 1, 1992.

Sec. 2. RCW 28A.415.020 and 1990 c 33 s 415 are each amended to read as follows:

(1) Certificated personnel shall receive for each ten clock hours of approved in-service training attended the equivalent of a one credit college quarter course on the salary schedule developed by the legislative evaluation and accountability program committee.

(2) Certificated personnel shall receive for each ten clock hours of approved continuing education earned, as continuing education is defined by rule adopted by the state board of education, the equivalent of a one credit college quarter course on the salary schedule developed by the legislative evaluation and accountability program committee.

(3) An approved in-service training program shall be a program approved by a school district board of directors, which meet standards adopted by the state board of education, and the development of said program has been participated in by an in-service training task force whose membership is the same as provided under RCW 28A.415.040, or a program offered by an education agency approved to provide in-service for the purposes of continuing education as provided for under rules adopted by the state board of education, or both.

(4) Clock hours eligible for application to the salary schedule developed by the legislative evaluation and accountability program committee as described in subsections (1) and (2) of this section, shall be those hours acquired ((~~after~~)) between August 31, 1987, and September 1, 1995.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 3. A new section is added to chapter 28A.410 RCW to read as follows:

In carrying out its duties and responsibilities under RCW 28A.410.010, after September 1, 1995, the state board of education may require certificated personnel who have obtained a continuing certificate to complete continuing education coursework as a condition for retaining his or her continuing certificate only if the credits earned through completion of the coursework may be used to advance the individual on the salary schedule of his or her school district.