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

SB 5582

Brief Description:  Authorizing the conditional employment of teachers with lapsed certificates.

Sponsors:  By Senators Roach, McAuliffe, Winsley, Patterson, Fairley, Morton, Kastama, Hochstatter, Deccio, Swecker, Long, Carlson, Finkbeiner, Hewitt, Stevens, Sheahan, Zarelli, Rossi, Kohl‑Welles and Regala.

Hearing Date:  3/22/01

Staff:  Susan Morrissey (786‑7111).

Background: 

Teachers must be certified by the state in order to teach in Washington=s public or approved private schools.  The State Board of Education establishes the rules that govern teacher certification.  Currently, teachers who received their continuing or professional teaching certificates after August 30, 1987, are required to obtain 150 clock hours of classes every five years in order to maintain that certificate.  If a teacher does not fulfill the requirement, the teacher's certificate lapses.  Teachers with lapsed certificates may be eligible to teach as substitutes, but they may not be employed as regular teachers without obtaining additional credit hours.

Summary of Bill: 

An individual with a lapsed teaching certificate may be employed by a school district.  The individual must complete certificate renewal requirements within two years of re-employment.   Teachers with certificates that were revoked or suspended are not eligible for conditional employment.

Appropriation:  None.

Fiscal Note:  Not Requested.

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