SENATE BILL REPORT

SJM 8021

As Reported By Senate Committee On:

Education, March 5, 2001

Brief Description:  Requesting that the federal government expand incentives to encourage people to become teachers in geographic areas and subjects with teacher shortages.

Sponsors:  Senators McAuliffe, Finkbeiner, Regala, Johnson, Eide, Carlson, Winsley, Prentice, Oke and Kohl‑Welles; by request of Superintendent of Public Instruction.

Brief History:

Committee Activity:  Education:  2/28/01, 3/5/01 [DP].

SENATE COMMITTEE ON EDUCATION

Majority Report:  Do pass.

Signed by Senators McAuliffe, Chair; Eide, Vice Chair; Carlson, Finkbeiner, Hewitt, Johnson, Kastama, Kohl‑Welles, Prentice, Rasmussen, Regala and Zarelli.

Staff:  Kelly Simpson (786‑7403)

Background:  The April 2000 report titled "Educator Supply and Demand in Washington," prepared by the Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction, indicated that the state faces teacher shortages in the following subject areas: special education, chemistry, physics, Japanese, bilingual education, mathematics, and technology education.  Additionally, the report indicates that 14 percent of the 1998-99 teaching force working in 34 specified fields in Washington will be eligible to retire during the academic years of 2000-2005.

Summary of Bill:  The Legislature encourages the state and federal governments to work together to expand forgivable loan and grant opportunities to encourage people to become teachers in (1) geographically hard-to-serve areas and (2) subject areas or diversity categories where there is a shortage of qualified applicants.

Appropriation:  None.

Fiscal Note:  Not requested.

Testimony For:  In consideration of reported teacher shortages across the country and in Washington, teacher recruitment incentives should be encouraged.

Testimony Against:  None.

Testified:  Greg Williamson, OSPI.