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

HB 2415

Brief Description:  Changing qualifications for public school principals and vice principals.

Sponsors:  Representatives Quall, Talcott, Haigh, Anderson, Rockefeller, Tokuda, Lantz, Romero, McIntire and Chase; 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 1977 legislature enacted a law that requires school districts to employ principals and vice‑principals who hold valid teacher and administrator certificates.

The State Board of Education (SBE) adopts the rules governing the certification process for teachers and principals.  Under SBE rules, in order to receive initial principal certification, a candidate must hold an approved master's degree, must have completed an approved principal preparation program, and must have previous teaching experience.

The teaching requirements for a candidate that entered a principal preparation program before August 31, 1998 are different from the rules for those who entered after that date. A candidate who entered a program before August 31, 1998 must have previously completed at least 180 days or their equivalent of teaching.  The teaching experience could occur in school districts, state agencies, colleges or universities, or in the private school system.  A candidate who entered a principal preparation program after August 31, 1998 must have previously completed at least three school years of full‑time teaching in a public or private school.

Summary of Bill:

Principals and vice‑principals may include persons who hold or once held valid teacher and administrative certificates.  Principals and vice‑principals may also include persons who hold or once held valid educational staff associate certificates if the persons have demonstrated successful school‑based instructional experience and if they hold valid administrative certificates.  Persons whose certificates were revoked, suspended, or surrendered cannot be employed as public school principals or vice‑principals.

Appropriation:  None.

Fiscal Note:  Not Requested.

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