H-4630.1          _______________________________________________

                            SUBSTITUTE HOUSE BILL 2326

                  _______________________________________________

State of Washington              54th Legislature             1996 Regular Session

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

Read first time 01/29/96. 

Changing requirements for admission to teacher preparation programs.

     AN ACT Relating to demonstrating basic skills for entrance into a teacher preparation program; amending RCW 28A.410.020; creating a new section; and providing an expiration date.

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

     Sec. 1.  RCW 28A.410.020 and 1991 c 116 s 20 are each amended to read as follows:

     (1) No person may be admitted to a professional teacher preparation program within Washington state without first demonstrating by one of the following options that he or she is competent in the basic skills required for oral and written communication, reading, and computation((.  This requirement shall be waived for persons who have completed)):

(a) Successful completion of an examination in the basic skills required for oral and written communication, reading, and computation; or

(b) Completion of a baccalaureate degree program; or

(c) Completion of a graduate degree program; or ((who have completed))

(d) Completion of two or more years of college level course work((,)) and demonstrated basic skills competency through college level course work and a written essay((, and are over the age of twenty-one)); or

(e) Earning a combined score of more than the state-wide median score for the prior school year scored by all persons taking tests of general achievement selected by the state board of education.

     (2) ((After June 30, 1989, no person shall be admitted to a teacher preparation program who has a combined score of less than the state-wide median score for the prior school year scored by all persons taking tests of general achievement selected by the state board of education.  The state board of education shall develop criteria and adopt rules for exemptions from this subsection.

     (3))) The state board of education shall adopt rules to implement this section.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 2.  As part of the report required by RCW 28A.410.013, the state board of education shall include specific recommendations for establishment of a uniform test of basic skills:

     (1) As a requirement for admission to a professional teacher preparation program within Washington state; and

     (2) As a requirement for out-of-state teachers applying for Washington state certification.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 3.  Section 2 of this act shall expire January 31, 1997.

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