SENATE BILL REPORT

HB 2720

As Reported By Senate Committee On:

Higher Education, February 23, 2004

Title: An act relating to school district superintendent credential preparation programs.

Brief Description: Concerning school district superintendent credential preparation programs.

Sponsors: Representatives Kenney, McCoy, Pearson, Dunshee, Schual-Berke, Cooper, Kristiansen, Chase and Morrell; by request of State Board of Education.

Brief History:

Committee Activity: Higher Education: 2/19/04, 2/23/04 [DP].

SENATE COMMITTEE ON HIGHER EDUCATION

Majority Report: Do pass.

      Signed by Senators Carlson, Chair; Schmidt, Vice Chair; Horn, Kohl-Welles, Pflug, B. Sheldon and Shin.

Staff: Heather Lewis-Lechner (786-7448)

Background: Under current Washington law, only the University of Washington and Washington State University are authorized to offer training for superintendents over and above that which is required for teaching certificates and principals' credentials.

Summary of Bill: Central Washington University, Eastern Washington University, Western Washington University, and The Evergreen State College are authorized to offer training for superintendents over and above that required for teaching certificates and principals' credentials.

Appropriation: None.

Fiscal Note: Not requested.

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

Testimony For: Many superintendents will soon be eligible to retire. Local school boards could require superintendents to be state certified and right now only UW, WSU, and a few private universities can offer the necessary training. This bill gives other universities the option to offer the program and determine if the program is financial feasible. It gives these universities the option to expand access in parts of the state where there are currently no programs to address the needs.

Testimony Against: None.

Testified: PRO: Rep. Kenney, prime sponsor; Larry Davis, State Board of Education; Judy McNickle, Western WA University.