H-0779.1 _______________________________________________
HOUSE BILL 1389
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State of Washington 57th Legislature 2001 Regular Session
By Representatives Talcott, Lovick, Armstrong, Haigh, D. Schmidt, Keiser, Woods, McDermott, Clements, Jackley, Marine, Simpson, Jarrett, Ogden, Edmonds, Lantz, Alexander, Carrell, Kagi, Kenney, Quall, O'Brien, Mulliken, Fromhold, Conway, Morell, Sump, Miloscia, McIntire, Esser, Pearson and Kessler
Read first time 01/25/2001. Referred to Committee on Education.
AN ACT Relating to recognition for teachers certified by the national board for professional teaching standards; adding new sections to chapter 28A.405 RCW; creating a new section; and providing an expiration date.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:
NEW SECTION. Sec. 1. The legislature finds that good teachers are the foundation of the state's education system. Effective teachers are essential if students are to achieve the state's high academic standards. In fact, recent studies have shown that the most important factor in student achievement is effective teaching. The legislature also finds that teachers who have obtained certification from the national board for professional teaching standards have proven that they have the knowledge and skills necessary to increase student achievement. Since the board's certification process is the most rigorous process in the teaching profession, these excellent teachers have earned state recognition as well. The legislature further finds that the dedicated and talented teachers who have obtained national board certification are an important resource for children and for other teachers. Nationally certified teachers who mentor beginning teachers and other interested colleagues could accelerate the rate at which those teachers become good and great educators.
Therefore, the legislature intends to provide recognition awards to teachers who have obtained national certification. The legislature further intends that the amount of these one-time awards be continued for those recipients who are selected to mentor their colleagues while continuing to teach children in the public schools.
NEW SECTION. Sec. 2. A new section is added to chapter 28A.405 RCW to read as follows:
Subject to funding provided for this specific purpose, the superintendent of public instruction may provide the following types of recognition to Washington's public school teachers who have obtained certification from the national board for professional teaching standards:
(1) An eight thousand dollar recognition award to each Washington public school teacher who obtains certification after the 2000-01 school year;
(2) For the duration of the national certification, an eight thousand dollar supplemental contract in any year in which a nationally certified teacher is selected by his or her school district to mentor other teachers while continuing to teach in the classroom.
NEW SECTION. Sec. 3. A new section is added to chapter 28A.405 RCW to read as follows:
(1) By August 1, 2004, and periodically thereafter, the Washington professional educator standards board shall review the national board certification standards to determine whether the standards are sufficiently rigorous and aligned to student achievement. The board shall also determine whether additional requirements are needed to ensure that the national standards meet the needs of Washington's students.
(2) By October 15, 2010, the Washington professional educator standards board shall report to the appropriate house of representatives and senate committees on the results and accomplishments of the recognition awards, including the awards' mentoring component. The report may include recommendations for the continuation, modification, or elimination of the awards.
NEW SECTION. Sec. 4. Sections 1 through 3 of this act expire July 1, 2012.
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