HOUSE BILL ANALYSIS

                 HB  2460

Title:  An act relating to cooperating teachers.

Brief Description:  Changing provisions relating to cooperating teachers.

Sponsors:  Representatives Romero, Johnson, Cole, Ogden, Veloria, Kastama, Dickerson, Constantine, DeBolt, Cooper, Gardner, Butler and Conway.

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON EDUCATION

Meeting Date:  February 4, 1998.

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

Background:  The State Board of Education (SBE) has the authority to approve teacher preparation programs and define requirements for teacher certification. The SBE has adopted rules that describe the responsibilities of approved preparation programs. The rules do not include any provisions on stipends for teachers who are supervising student teachers.  Some, but not all, colleges and universities pay stipends to teachers supervising student teachers.

In addition to the certification oversight responsibilities assigned to the board,  the 1991 Legislature adopted specific provisions for strengthening the student teaching experience.  The 1991 Legislature declared that  Aschools, school districts, educational service districts, and institutions of higher education benefit mutually from cooperative relationships that provide teacher candidates with appropriate, necessary, and successful student teaching experiences that establish continuity between the theory and practice of teaching.@  The same Legislature approved the creation of student teaching centers designed to strengthen cooperation and communication between the K-12 and college sectors of the state=s education system.  The 1991 legislation defined cooperating teachers as teachers who hold continuing certificates and supervise and coach student teachers.

The 1991 legislation directed the Superintendent of Public Instruction to allocate funds for the student teaching centers.  Finally, the legislation stated that student teaching centers would be an alternative means of placing student teachers in school districts and that school districts and institutions of higher education could make separate agreements for placing student teachers into classrooms.

Summary of Bill:  The laws governing training and student teaching centers is revised.  The SBE will develop and adopt a uniform, state-wide payment schedule for cooperating teachers.  The schedule will used to determine the amount of stipends that colleges and universities will pay to teachers who are supervising student teachers.  The board will consult with representatives of cooperating teachers and organizations in the development of the schedule.  The board will adopt the schedule by February 1, 2001, for implementation beginning September 1, 2001. 

As the board develops the schedule, it will consider the tuition paid by the student teacher to the college or university for the student teaching experience, the range and average amount of contact student teachers have with cooperating teachers, and the range and average stipend paid to cooperating teachers.  The board will also consider the qualifications and experience of cooperating teachers and the amount of contact or supervision provided by university professors. 

Colleges and universities may not charge students additional tuition or fees for the cooperative teaching experience. 

Cooperating teachers will provide a report to college or university supervisors on each student teacher.  The report will include a description of the activities carried out by the student teacher, an evaluation of the student=s performance, and recommendations to improve the student=s education through additional coursework or student teaching activities.

The qualifications of cooperating teachers are revised.  In addition to holding a continuing certificate, cooperating teachers are superior teachers who have at least five years of teaching experience.  In addition, by September 1, 2000, cooperating teachers must demonstrate that they are skillful in applying the essential academic learning requirements to specific curricula and instructional activities.

Appropriation:  None.

Fiscal Note:  Requested on January 29, 1998.

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