H-2220

AN ACT Relating to alternative teacher certification; amending RCW 28A.410.025, 28A.410.040, 28A.150.410, and 41.59.935; adding new sections to chapter 28A.410 RCW; and creating a new section.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:

NEW SECTION. Sec. 1. The board of directors in each school district may issue alternative teaching certificates to individuals interested in teaching within the district who do not otherwise possess a teaching certificate issued by the state. Each candidate for an alternative certificate shall:

(1) Possess a baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited institution of higher education or an equivalent accrediting organization;

(2) Have at least five years' work experience relevant to a primary subject area to be taught or sufficient knowledge of the primary subject area to be taught. Sufficient knowledge requirements shall be determined on a case-by-case basis by the superintendent of the district and approved by the local school board. This work experience or knowledge of the subject area shall meet the requirements for an endorsement or endorsements in the relevant subject area or areas;

(3) Complete the national teachers' examination (NTE) general knowledge test, or once available, the state certification assessment of basic skills in reading, writing, communications, and mathematics. The district shall determine the test to be taken and the level of performance necessary on the NTE to fulfill this requirement;

(4) Demonstrate to the superintendent and the local school board an ability to communicate information effectively to students, as determined by standards developed by the local school board;

(5) Meet the age and character requirements established by the state board of education for all certificated school staff, including compliance with the background check through the Washington state patrol criminal investigation system and the federal bureau of investigation as required under RCW 28A.400.303; and

(6) Possess a written agreement with the school district to complete a two-year residency to provide instructional services in the district.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 2. The alternative teacher certificate allows the holder full authority to serve as a part-time or full-time teacher. The district shall report the issuance of all alternative teaching certificates to the state board of education. Alternative certificates issued under section 1 of this act are valid for not more than two years of full-time or part-time teaching or its equivalent.

The alternative teacher certificate shall allow the holder to provide instructional services to students in any of the grades in middle school, junior high, and high school. Instructional services shall be limited to the subject or subjects approved by the local school board of directors and designated on the alternative teacher certificate.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 3. The school district board of directors shall by written policy, develop the criteria for successful completion of the two-year residency requirement in section 1(6) of this act. A written agreement between the individual and district shall specify the terms and conditions of employment and the terms for completion of the residency. All such agreements are exempt from chapter 41.59 RCW.

After successful completion of the two-year residency, the district shall present the individual to the superintendent of public instruction for initial certification by the state. The superintendent shall grant initial certification in accordance with RCW 28A.410.040 to those individuals presented by the local board without requiring additional coursework or experience to meet initial certification requirements.

Sec. 4. RCW 28A.410.025 and 1969 ex.s. c 223 s 28A.67.010 are each amended to read as follows:

No person shall be accounted as a qualified teacher within the meaning of the school law who is not the holder of a valid teacher's certificate, alternative certificate issued under section 1 of this act, or permit issued by lawful authority of this state.

Sec. 5. RCW 28A.410.040 and 1992 c 141 s 101 are each amended to read as follows:

The state board of education shall adopt rules providing that, except as provided in this section, all individuals qualifying for an initial-level teaching certificate after August 31, 1992, shall possess a baccalaureate degree in the arts, sciences, and/or humanities and have fulfilled the requirements for teacher certification pursuant to RCW 28A.305.130 (1) and (2) or the requirements for alternative certification under sections 1 and 3 of this act. However, candidates for grades preschool through eight certificates shall have fulfilled the requirements for a major as part of their baccalaureate degree. If the major is in early childhood education, elementary education, or special education, the candidate must have at least thirty quarter hours or twenty semester hours in one academic field. The state board shall grant initial-level certificates to candidates presented by local school boards who have obtained alternative teaching certificates and successfully completed a two-year teaching residency within the district, without requiring additional coursework or experience to meet initial-level certification requirements.

Sec. 6. RCW 28A.150.410 and 1990 c 33 s 118 are each amended to read as follows:

(1) The legislature shall establish for each school year in the appropriations act a state-wide salary allocation schedule, for allocation purposes only, to be used to distribute funds for basic education certificated instructional staff salaries under RCW 28A.150.260.

(2) The superintendent of public instruction shall calculate salary allocations for state funded basic education certificated instructional staff by determining the district average salary for basic education instructional staff using the salary allocation schedule established pursuant to this section. However, no district shall receive an allocation based upon an average basic education certificated instructional staff salary which is less than the average of the district's 1986‑87 actual basic education certificated instructional staff salaries, as reported to the superintendent of public instruction prior to June 1, 1987, and the legislature may grant minimum salary increases on that base: PROVIDED, That the superintendent of public instruction may adjust this allocation based upon the education and experience of the district's certificated instructional staff and in accordance with subsection (4) of this section.

(3) Beginning January 1, 1992, no more than ninety college quarter-hour credits received by any employee after the baccalaureate degree may be used to determine compensation allocations under the state salary allocation schedule and LEAP documents referenced in the biennial appropriations act, or any replacement schedules and documents, unless:

(a) The employee has a masters degree; or

(b) The credits were used in generating state salary allocations before January 1, 1992.

(4) In determining state allocations and salaries for individuals participating in the alternative certification program under section 2 of this act, an individual's salary shall be based on the state-wide salary allocation schedule for individuals with zero years of service and the individual's degree. The two years of teaching under an alternate teaching certificate shall be included in the calculation of the individual's years of service when the individual is issued an initial certificate as provided in section 3 of this act and RCW 28A.410.040.

Sec. 7. RCW 41.59.935 and 1990 c 33 s 571 are each amended to read as follows:

Nothing in this chapter shall be construed to grant employers or employees the right to reach agreements:

(1) Regarding salary or compensation increases in excess of those authorized in accordance with RCW 28A.150.410 and 28A.400.200 ; or

(2) Limiting the employer's authority to contract with or offer to contract with an individual for the purpose of an alternative teaching certificate under section 2 of this act.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 8. Alternative certification under this act shall be available beginning in the 1997-98 school year.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 9. Sections 1 through 3 of this act are each added to chapter 28A.410 RCW.