SENATE BILL REPORT
SB 5685
As Reported By Senate Committee On:
Education, March 5, 2001
Title: An act relating to salary bonuses for teachers attaining certification by the national board for professional teaching standards.
Brief Description: Providing a salary bonus for teachers receiving national board for professional teaching standards certification.
Sponsors: Senators Kohl‑Welles, Finkbeiner, Johnson, Rasmussen, Regala, Patterson, Oke, McAuliffe, Hewitt and Roach; by request of Governor Locke; Superintendent of Public Instruction.
Brief History:
Committee Activity: Education: 2/26/01, 3/5/01 [DPS-WM].
SENATE COMMITTEE ON EDUCATION
Majority Report: That Substitute Senate Bill No. 5685 be substituted therefor, and the substitute bill do pass and be referred to Committee on Ways & Means.
Signed by Senators McAuliffe, Chair; Eide, Vice Chair; Finkbeiner, Hewitt, Johnson, Kastama, Kohl‑Welles, Prentice, Rasmussen, Regala and Zarelli.
Staff: Susan Mielke (786‑7422)
Background: The National Board for Professional Teachers Standards (NBPTS) is an organization comprised of teachers and other people interested in education. The board was created in 1987 and has established standards and assessments in 21 subject areas for the purposes of teacher certification. Obtaining NBPTS certification requires the teacher to successfully complete an assessment of the teacher's subject knowledge and to compile a portfolio for review by the NBPTS. The portfolio may include student work, videotapes, and other teaching samples with written explanations and reflections by the teacher. The certification process takes nearly a school year to complete and costs $2,300. A NBPTS certificate is valid for 10 years.
In 1999, the Legislature provided a 15 percent salary bonus, for up to 45 teachers, who received NBPTS certification. In 2000, the Legislature changed the bonus amount to $3,500 for two years, for a total of $7,000. There was no cap on the number of teachers who could receive the bonus in 2000.
Summary of Substitute Bill: Teachers who attain NBPTS certification annually receive a 15 percent salary bonus for the duration of the NBPTS certificate.
The bill contains a null and void clause.
Substitute Bill Compared to Original Bill: The substitute bill adds a null and void clause.
Appropriation: None.
Fiscal Note: Requested on February 19, 2001.
Effective Date: Ninety days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.
Testimony For: National Board certification is an outstanding accomplishment and should be recognized by the state. Washington State must take the initiative to pay teachers a competitive wage and also move to a performance‑based pay system. This salary bonus would be a first step. The process of achieving national certification helps teachers to improve the way that they teach.
Testimony Against: None.
Testified: Senator Kohl‑Welles, prime sponsor; Kristin Bunce, Governor's Office; Julie Salvi, Governor's Office; Greg Williamson, OSPI; Karen Davis, WEA.