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

HB 2414

Brief Description:  Changing provisions relating to the professional educator standards board.

Sponsors:  Representatives Haigh, Anderson, Quall, Talcott, Tokuda, McIntire, Kenney, Chase and Schual‑Berke; by request of Governor Locke, Superintendent of Public Instruction, State Board of Education and Professional Educator Standards Board.

Hearing Date:  1/30/02

Staff:  Susan Morrissey (786‑7111).

Background:

The 2000 Legislature created the Professional Educator Standards Board (PESB) to advise the State Board of Education and the Superintendent of Public Instruction on educator preparation and certification issues.  The PESB provides advice on educator recruitment, hiring, preparation, certification, mentoring and support, professional growth, retention, governance, assessment, and evaluation.

The PESB is also responsible for the development, pilot testing and implementation of a basic skill assessment for students entering educator preparation programs and of subject matter assessments for new teachers.  The Board will make the subject matter assessments available for pilot testing and use by September 1, 2002.  Beginning September 1, 2003, successful completion of the subject matter assessments will be required before new teachers may be endorsed to teach various subjects and grade levels.

The PESB is composed of nineteen voting members who are appointed by the Governor and confirmed by the Senate. The Superintendent of Public Instruction serves as a nonvoting member of the board.  The voting members serve four year terms, and may serve for a maximum of two consecutive terms.  The members also represent different types of educators and interests.  Seven of the members are public school teachers and one member is a private school teacher.  Four members are school administrators, three represent higher education, two are educational staff associates, one is a parent, and one is a member of the public.

In 2000, the Governor appointed the first members of the PESB to four year terms.  The Senate has confirmed 18 of the Board's initial appointees.

Summary of Bill:

The terms of the initial members of the Professional Educator Standards Board will be staggered, where possible, so that the terms of board members who represent a specific group don't expire simultaneously.

The date by which new teachers must pass a subject matter test in order to be endorsed to teach a particular subject or grade level is postponed from September 1, 2003 to September 1, 2005.

Appropriation:  None.

Fiscal Note:  Not Requested.

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