HOUSE BILL ANALYSIS

                  HB 1898

Title:  An act relating to teacher assessment for certification.

Brief Description:  Establishing teacher assessments for certification.

Sponsors:  Representatives Johnson, Cole, Blalock, Zellinsky, Cooper, Tokuda, Dickerson, Keiser, Regala, Ogden, Conway and Linville; by request of Board of Education.

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON EDUCATION

Meeting Date:  February 28, 1997.

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

Background:  A person may not be admitted to a professional teacher certification program in the state without demonstrating that the person is competent in basic skills of oral and written communication, reading, and computation.  The person may demonstrate that in a variety of ways including successful completion of an examination of basic skills, completion of a baccalaureate or graduate degree program, completion of two years of college and a demonstration of competency in basic skills and an essay, or earning a combined score of more than the state-wide median score for the prior school year of all persons taking the test.

Individuals who want to teach in the public schools must be certificated.  There are a number of requirements to obtain a certificate.

Summary of Bill:  The Legislature makes a number of findings about the importance of improving the system of teacher preparation and certification.

The State Board of Education (SBE) must implement one or more means of assessing the knowledge or abilities of all applicants for teaching certificates required by the SBE.  On or before September 1, 2000, the SBE must assess the applicant=s knowledge of reading, writing, communications, and mathematics.  In addition, the SBE must assess the teaching abilities or knowledge of teaching as determined by the SBE.  In addition, the SBE must also assess an applicant=s knowledge in an area of endorsement.  The SBE must develop this assessment as soon as possible.  The SBE must establish minimum scores an applicant must meet to be issued a teaching certificate. 

The SBE or the Superintendent of Public Instruction (SPI) may contract with third parties to develop and implement the assessments.  Applicants for teaching must pay fees established by the board for the assessments.  The fees must be related to the costs of implementing assessments.  Fee revenues will be deposited into a new account, the teacher assessment account.  Moneys deposited in the account must be spent to fund the assessment program.

The SBE, the SPI, and the commission on student learning must develop and implement the assessments on a collaborative basis.  The SBE must ensure that teachers, administrators, and representatives of higher education institutions participate in the process. 

The provision governing the minimum qualifications necessary to enter a school of professional teacher preparation is repealed.

Fiscal Note:  Requested on February 19, 1997.

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