HOUSE BILL ANALYSIS

                  ESSB 5479

Title:  An act relating to time periods for provisional status of certificated employees.

Brief Description:  Changing time periods for provisional status for certificated employees.

Sponsors:  Senate Committee on Education (originally sponsored by Senators Benton, West, Hochstatter, Swecker, McDonald and Oke).

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON EDUCATION

  Meeting Date: April 1, 1997.

Staff Contact:  Joe Hauth (786-7111).

Background:  During the first two years of employment in a school district, certificated teachers and non-supervisory certificated staff have provisional employment status.  The school district superintendent must evaluate the provisional employee annually in terms of instruction, classroom management, professional preparation and scholarship, improvement when needed, the ability to handle discipline and attendance problems, interest in teaching students, and subject matter knowledge.  If the school district superintendent determines that the employee=s contract should not be renewed, the superintendent must notify the employee accordingly, subject to several due process requirements.

Currently, provisional employees are subject to contract nonrenewal during the first two years of employment.  If the employee completed at least two years of certificated employment in another school district, then the employee is subject to contract nonrenewal only for the first year of employment with the school district.

Summary of Bill: The provisional employment status for teachers and other non-supervisory staff applies to the first three years of employment.  Provisional employees with at least two years of certificated employment in another school district remain subject to nonrenewal for the first year of employment with the school district.

Fiscal Note:  Not requested.

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