SENATE BILL REPORT

SB 6407

As Passed Senate, February 10, 2004

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

Brief Description: Concerning school district superintendent credential preparation programs.

Sponsors: Senators Shin, McAuliffe, Kohl-Welles and Carlson; by request of State Board of Education.

Brief History:

Committee Activity: Higher Education: 1/29/04 [DP].

Passed Senate: 2/10/04, 49-0.

SENATE COMMITTEE ON HIGHER EDUCATION

Majority Report: Do pass.

      Signed by Senators Carlson, Chair; Schmidt, Vice Chair; 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: This program will help people who are trying to pursue additional career training but might not be able to due to geographic difficulties and restrictions. This will allow those individuals to not have to make the tough choice between increased training and spending considerable time away from their families. In light of the number of school districts in our state and the great distance some of those people must travel to get additional education currently, this bill is needed. Quality leadership is essential for good education and better access will help superintendents get increased training and become better leaders. This bill is not mandatory; regionals are allowed to offer the program but not required. Some institutions are already prepared to respond to the need in our state for increased training opportunities and are ready to offer these courses.

Testimony Against: None.

Testified: PRO: Senator Shin, prime sponsor; Linda Lamb, Larry Davis, WA State Board of Education; Kristine McDuffy, WWU; Linda Byrnes, Arlington School District; Wayne Robertson, Edmonds School District.