HOUSE BILL ANALYSIS

                  HB 1374

Title:  An act relating to alternate teacher certification.

Brief Description:  Establishing alternate teacher certification.

Sponsors:  Representatives Smith, Johnson, Hickel, Talcott, B. Thomas and Thompson.

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON EDUCATION

Meeting Date:  February 6, 1997.

Bill Analysis Prepared by:  Pat Shelledy (786-7149).

Background:  Teachers in public or private schools must hold certificates authorized by the State Board of Education. The State Board of Education establishes and enforces the rules determining eligibility for and certification of teachers in the common schools.   Applicants for teacher certification must have completed state approved college or university teacher preparation program and hold appropriate degrees, licenses, and complete additional course work as required by the state board. 

There are two types of certificates: initial and continuing.  An initial certificate is valid for four years. Candidates for initial certification must have a baccalaureate degree from an approved college or university.  Teachers may obtain certain endorsements to teach certain subject areas and grade levels.  To obtain an endorsement to teach certain classes or grade levels, an aspiring teacher must complete a certain number of hours in pertinent course work.

The Legislature establishes for each school year in the appropriations act a state-wide salary allocation schedule for certificated employees.  The schedule is for allocation purposes only.  The Superintendent of Public Instruction calculates salary allocations for certificated staff by determining the district average salary for basic education staff using the salary allocation schedule.  The superintendent may adjust the allocation based on the education and experience of the district=s certificated staff.

Summary of Bill:  The Legislature intends to attract career professionals from diverse backgrounds into the teaching profession and prevent teacher shortages by making alternate teaching certification available to certain qualified individuals.

An individual may obtain an alternate teaching certificate that allows the person to teach in the state of Washington if the candidate:

<Possesses a baccalaureate degree in the arts, sciences, or humanities from a college or university accredited by the Northwest Association of schools or colleges or an equivalent accrediting organization;

<Has at least five years= work experience relevant to the subject area in which the candidate is seeking endorsements, or, sufficient knowledge of the subject area to be taught.  The superintendent of the school district will determine whether a candidate has sufficient knowledge.  The work or knowledge experience Ashall@   the requirements for an endorsement in the relevant subject area;

<Meets established age and character requirements; and

<Possesses a contract for employment in a school district of the state.

The candidate and the school district must develop a written plan for training and supervising the candidate before the candidate starts teaching.

The alternate teaching certificate allows the hold full authority to teach as a part-time or full-time teacher.  The certificate is valid for not more than two years of full-time teaching or its equivalent.  If a person holding the certificate wants to continue to teach after the certificate expires, the candidate must apply for initial certification.  Initial certification is conditioned upon satisfaction of complying with requirements for the alternate certificate, two years of successful teaching as determined by the evaluation criteria used in the school district for teachers, and a recommendation by the principal.  The certification may not require additional course work or experience. 

Alternate teaching certificates must be available beginning the 1997-98 school year. 

The school district must consider the candidate=s education and employment experience, including non-education employment that is relevant to the person=s performance as a teacher, when setting the salaries of the holders of the alternative certificates.  The Superintendent of Public Instruction may adjust the salary allocation for the district based on the salaries for teachers with alternative certificates.

Fiscal Note:  Requested on February 5, 1997.

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

for:

against:

witnesses:  Jack Lambert, teacher (con); Allyson Gallagher, teacher (con);