BP BHEAD INT S [atlas:bill]

AN ACT Relating to cooperating teachers; amending RCW 28A.415.105; adding a new section to chapter 28A.415 RCW; and creating a new section.

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

NEW SECTION. Sec. 1. The legislature finds that preparing future teachers is critical to the well-being of our state and nation. An essential component of teacher preparation is the opportunity for students in teacher preparation programs to learn from experienced classroom teachers. These teachers are able to provide advice and counsel based on the many lessons they have learned from their experience in the classroom.

The legislature recognizes the importance of actual classroom experience in the training of new teachers, and therefore intends to provide incentives to exceptional, experienced teachers to guide student teachers' classroom‑based learning experiences.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 2. A new section is added to chapter 28A.415 RCW to read as follows:

(1) The state board of education, in consultation with representatives of cooperating teachers and cooperating organizations, shall by rule establish a uniform, state-wide payment schedule for cooperating teachers. The appropriate fiscal agent shall use the payment schedule to determine the salary stipends to be paid to cooperating teachers. In developing the schedule, the state board shall consider:

(a) The current tuition paid by the student teacher to the institutions of higher education for the student teaching experience;

(b) The range and average amount of contact that student teachers have with cooperating teachers in relation to the course;

(d) The qualifications and experience of cooperating teachers; and

(e) The anticipated amount of contact or supervision provided by the university professors.

(2) Each institution of higher education shall pay a stipend to a cooperating teacher, and may not charge additional tuition or fees for the cooperative teaching experience.

(3) Within thirty days of completing the student teaching experience, the cooperating teacher shall document and report the following to the supervisor or university supervisor:

(a) The student teaching activities carried out by the student teacher;

(b) An evaluation of the student teacher's performance by the cooperating teacher; and

(c) Any recommendations to improve the student teacher's education through additional coursework or student teaching activities.

(4) The state board shall adopt the payment schedule by February 1, 2001, for implementation beginning September 1, 2001. The state board shall update the payment schedule as needed, as determined by the state board.

Sec. 3. RCW 28A.415.105 and 1995 c 335 s 403 are each amended to read as follows:

Unless the context clearly requires otherwise, the definitions in this section apply throughout RCW 28A.415.125 through 28A.415.140.

(1) "Cooperating organizations" means that at least one school district, one college or university, and one educational service district are involved jointly with the development of a student teaching center.

(2) "Cooperating teacher" means a teacher who:

(a) Holds a continuing certificate and supervises and coaches a student teacher;

(b) Is a superior teacher based on the teacher's evaluations pursuant to RCW 28A.405.100;

(d) By September 1, 2000, has demonstrated skills in applying the essential academic learning requirements developed by the commission on student learning under RCW 28A.630.885 to specific curricula and instructional activities.

(3) "Field experience" means opportunities for observation, tutoring, microteaching, extended practicums, and clinical and laboratory experiences which do not fall within the meaning of student teaching.

(4) "School setting" means a classroom in a public, common school in the state of Washington.

(5) "Student teacher" means a candidate for initial teacher certification who is in a state board of education-approved, or regionally or nationally accredited teacher preparation program in a school setting as part of the field-based component of their preparation program.

(6) "Student teaching" means the full quarter or semester in a school setting during which the student teacher observes the cooperating teacher, participates in instructional activities, and assumes both part-time and full-time teaching responsibilities under the supervision of the cooperating teacher.

(7) "Student teaching center" means the program established to provide student teachers in a geographic region of the state with special support and training as part of their teacher preparation program.

(8) "Supervisor or university supervisor" means the regular or adjunct faculty member, or college or university-approved designee, who assists and supervises the work of cooperating teachers and student teachers.