HB 2544 - DIGEST

     Finds that:  (1) Carefully targeted professional development is a critical component of the state's education reform efforts;

     (2) Washington's teachers are required by the state to fund and complete college coursework in order to achieve and maintain professional certification;

     (3) many public school teachers, especially beginning teachers who are at the bottom of the salary schedule, need help funding the academic credits required to achieve and maintain professional certification; and

     (4) students, parents, and the local community benefit from the additional skills and knowledge acquired by teachers, so public-private partnerships could help teachers acquire the new skills and knowledge needed to enhance student learning and maintain professional certification.

     Declares an intent to assist the state's reform efforts and to help educators fund their required studies through a tuition reimbursement program targeted to coursework that helps a teacher gain skills and knowledge that enhance student learning of the state's essential academic learning requirements.