SENATE BILL REPORT

SB 5483

As of February 21, 2003

Title: An act relating to salary bonuses for certificated instructional staff attaining certification by the national board for professional teaching standards.

Brief Description: Providing a salary bonus for teachers who maintain certification from the national board for professional teaching standards.

Sponsors: Senators Johnson, McAuliffe, Eide, Kohl-Welles, Winsley and Rasmussen; by request of Governor Locke.

Brief History:

Committee Activity: Education: 2/26/03.

SENATE COMMITTEE ON EDUCATION

Staff: Susan Mielke (786-7422)

Background: The National Board for Professional Teachers Standards (NBPTS) is a nonprofit 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 and may be renewed for additional 10-year periods by providing evidence that the teacher continues to meet the NBPTS standards. In Washington, 218 teachers have received NBPTS certification.

In the 1999 budget, the Legislature provided a 15 percent salary bonus, for up to 45 teachers, who received NBPTS certification. In the 2000 budget, the Legislature changed the bonus amount to $3,500 for two years, for a total of $7,000, with no cap on the number of teachers who could receive the bonus. In the 2001 budget, funds were provided to increase the duration of the $3,500 annual bonus from two years to three years. The 2002 budget reduced the total amount provided for bonuses by 3 percent, but the duration of the annual bonus was extended to four years.

Summary of Bill: Teachers who attain NBPTS certification receive a $3,500 bonus for each year that the teachers maintain the certification. The bonus is not included in a district's average salary calculation and is exempt from statutory salary limits.

Appropriation: None.

Fiscal Note: Available.

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