Washington State House of Representatives Office of Program Research	BILL ANALYSIS
Education Committee

HB 1867

Brief Description:  Providing salary bonuses for educational staff associates receiving board or association certification.

Sponsors:  Representatives Linville, Ruderman and Kagi.

Brief Summary of Bill

$

Hearing Date:  2/21/01

Staff:  Susan Morrissey (786‑7111).

Background: 

The National Board for Professional Teaching Standards (NBPTS) is an independent, nonprofit, nonpartisan organization that provides advanced, voluntary certification for experienced teachers.  The board was created as a way for the teaching profession to recognize highly accomplished teaching practice. A certificate awarded by the board is intended to show that a teacher has been judged by his or her peers as one who meets high and rigorous professional standards.  The board certifies teachers in 21 fields using a rigorous process of assessment and evaluation, for which those seeking certification pay a fee.  The standards used in the process are developed by committees of teachers and other experts, and structured around student developmental levels and subject areas.

The 1999-00 biennial budget provided funding for a 15 percent salary bonus for teachers who obtained NBPTS certification before or during the 1999-2000 school year.  The bonus was intended to provide recognition for teachers' outstanding performance.   The 2000 supplemental budget provided a bonus of $3,500 for NBPTS teachers who obtained certification before or during the 2000-01 school year.  The 2000 budget language stipulated that the bonuses are not included in pension calculations.  In addition, the 2000 budget included a statement that the Legislature intends that teachers certificated by the board be limited to two bonus payments.

Educational staff associates are certificated school employees who support students and teachers in school.  These employees fall into the following categories: social workers, occupational therapists, school psychologists, speech language pathologists, audiologists, school counselors, and school nurses.  Many of these professions have organizations that provide their members with certification opportunities.

Summary of Bill: 

Educational staff associates who have attained certification from their professional organizations shall receive an annual fifteen percent salary bonus for the duration of their certification by that organization.  The names of the professional organizations are included.

Appropriation:  None.

Fiscal Note:  Not Requested.

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