BP BHEAD INT S

AN ACT Relating to parent involvement in education; amending RCW 28A.625.020, 28A.625.042, and 28A.625.050; creating a new section; and making an appropriation.

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

NEW SECTION. Sec. 1. The legislature finds that parents are their children's first teachers. The legislature further finds that parents play a vital role in the education of their children. Recognition of parents who demonstrate excellence in involvement in their children's education is an important step in promoting parental involvement in education.

Sec. 2. RCW 28A.625.020 and 1991 c 255 s 1 are each amended to read as follows:

The superintendent of public instruction shall establish an annual award program for excellence in education to recognize teachers, principals, administrators, classified staff, school district superintendents, parents, and school boards for their leadership, contributions, and commitment to education. The program shall recognize annually:

(1) Five teachers from each congressional district of the state. One individual must be an elementary level teacher, one must be a junior high or middle school level teacher, and one must be a secondary level teacher. Teachers shall include educational staff associates;

(2) Five principals or administrators from the state;

(3) One school district superintendent from the state;

(4) One school district board of directors from the state; ((~~and~~))

(5) Three parents of students from each congressional district of the state. One parent shall have a student in elementary school, one parent shall have a student in middle school, and one parent shall have a student in high school with each school being in a school district within the congressional district; and

(6) Three classified staff from each congressional district of the state.

Sec. 3. RCW 28A.625.042 and 1994 c 279 s 4 are each amended to read as follows:

(1) All recipients of the Washington award for excellence in education shall receive a certificate presented by the governor and the superintendent of public instruction, or their designated representatives, at a public ceremony or ceremonies in appropriate locations.

(2) In addition to the certificate under subsection (1) of this section, the award for teachers, classified employees, superintendents employed by second class school districts, and principals or administrators shall include a recognition award of at least two thousand five hundred dollars. The amount of the recognition award for superintendents employed by first class school districts shall be at least one thousand dollars. The recognition award shall not be considered compensation for the purposes of RCW 28A.400.200.

(3) In addition to the certificate under subsection (1) of this section, the award for the school board shall include a recognition award not to exceed two thousand five hundred dollars. The school board must use its recognition award for an educational purpose.

(4) In addition to the certificate under subsection (1) of this section, the award for the parent shall include a recognition award not to exceed two thousand five hundred dollars payable to the school that the parent's child attends. The funds shall be used for programs for parents at that student's school.

Sec. 4. RCW 28A.625.050 and 1995 c 335 s 108 are each amended to read as follows:

The superintendent of public instruction shall adopt rules under chapter 34.05 RCW to carry out the purposes of RCW 28A.625.010 through 28A.625.065. These rules shall include establishing the selection criteria for the Washington award for excellence in education program. The superintendent is encouraged to consult with teachers, educational staff associates, principals, administrators, classified employees, superintendents, parents, and school board members in developing the selection criteria. Notwithstanding the provisions of RCW 28A.625.020 (1) and (2), such rules may allow for the selection of individuals whose teaching or administrative duties, or both, may encompass multiple grade level or building assignments, or both.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 5. The sum of sixty-seven thousand five hundred dollars, or as much thereof as may be necessary, is appropriated for the biennium ending June 30, 1997, from the general fund to the superintendent of public instruction for the purposes of this act.