HOUSE BILL ANALYSIS

                 HB  2432

Title:  An act relating to educator internship programs.

Brief Description:  Changing educator internship programs.

Sponsors:  Representatives Hickel, Johnson, Cole, O'Brien and Talcott; by request of Superintendent of Public Instruction.

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON EDUCATION

Meeting Date:  January 27, 1998.

Bill Analysis Prepared by:  Susan Morrissey (786-7111).

Background:  As part of education reform, the 1993 Legislature created two administrator internship programs.  One program supports candidates who are embarked on a program to become principals.  The other program supports candidates who are trying to become superintendents or program administrators.    The programs fund release time for school district employees who are enrolled in an administrator preparation program that requires completion of a 45-day internship with a mentor administrator.  Candidates must apply to their local school district for an internship.  Each school district submits the names of internship applicants to its educational service district (ESD).  The ESD, with an advisory board, selects the participants.  The ESDs distribute program funding through a statutory allocation process.

Prior to the 1997-99 biennium, the programs funded about 170 interns a year.  The 1997 Legislature did not provide specific funding for the programs in the 1997-99 biennial budget.  The budget shifted an equal amount of funding into the Block Grant program for school districts.  According to a report from the Association of Washington School Principals, participation in the programs has declined significantly.  Colleges and universities have reported that almost no interns are supported for the 45 days permitted in statute.  A few interns are receiving support for up to 20 days.  The association is asking the 1998 Legislature to revise certain laws governing the programs and to restore categorical funding for them.

Summary of Bill: 

PRINCIPAL INTERNSHIPS

The law that governs the Washington State Principal Internship Support program is revised.  Participants in the program must agree to four new conditions.  Participants must agree to seek employment in the state once they have achieved certification as principals.  They must also agree to participate in training activities to improve education and to contribute to activities that improve education in the schools in which they are serving as interns.  Finally, they must participate in evaluations of the internship program.

Principal interns will be selected by the Superintendent of Public Instruction (SPI) rather that the ESDs.   SPI will be assisted by an advisory board that includes principals and representatives of higher education.  When selecting participants, SPI will give a priority to candidates who intend to serve as building administrators in schools which have had difficulty finding qualified building administrators.

Funding for the internships will be distributed directly to participating schools districts by SPI, rather than being allocated to schools by the ESDs through a statutory formula.   SPI may retain up to 7 percent of the program funds to cover the agency=s implementation costs.

SUPERINTENDENT AND PROGRAM ADMINISTRATOR INTERNSHIPS

The law that governs the Washington State Superintendent and Program Administrator Internship Support Program is revised. Participants must agree to seek employment in the state once they have achieved certification as superintendents or program administrators.  They must also agree to participate in training activities to improve education and to contribute to activities that improve education in the schools in which they are serving as interns.  Finally, they must participate in evaluations of the internship program.

Interns will be selected by SPI rather that the ESDs.   SPI will be assisted by an advisory board that includes superintendent, program administrators, and representatives of higher education. 

Funding for the internships will be distributed directly to participating schools districts by SPI, rather than being allocated to schools by the ESDs through a statutory formula.   SPI may retain up to 7 percent of the program funds to cover the agency=s implementation costs.

Appropriation:  None.

Fiscal Note:  Requested on January 23, 1998.

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