Brief Description: Revising the powers, duties, and membership of the state board of education and the Washington professional educator standards board and eliminating the academic achievement and accountability commission.

Sponsors: Representatives McDermott, Quall and P. Sullivan; by request of Governor Locke.

Hearing Date: 2/2/05

Staff: Susan Morrissey (786-7111).

Background:

See Power Point.

Summary of Bill:

State Board of Education

The membership and leadership of State Board of Education is reconstituted. The board will be composed of the Superintendent of Public Instruction and ten members appointed by the Governor. Three of the members will be selected from school districts of varying sizes. Two members will be selected from public institutions of higher education, one from a baccalaureate institution and one from a community college or technical college. In addition, five at large members will be appointed. The appointed members are subject to senate confirmation and will serve four-year staggered terms. The Superintendent of Public Instruction will chair the board.

Members are limited to two consecutive four-year terms and may be removed by the governor for neglect, malfeasance, misfeasance, or misconduct, in accordance with state law.

The state board will be composed of individuals who have demonstrated: interest in the public schools, support for educational improvement, a positive record of public service and a willingness to devote time to the responsibilities of the board. In making appointments to the board, the governor will consider the diversity in the state's population.

With the exception of duties for educator and administrator preparation and certification, the state board will retain its present duties. In addition, it will adopt performance improvement goals for schools, districts, and groups of students. The goals will focus on improving student learning in reading, writing, mathematics, science, student attendance and high school graduation. The goals will be coordinated with the goals included in the No Child Left Behind Act of 2001. Finally, the state board will recommend to the legislature performance standards for the Certificate of Academic Achievement.

The state board will have an executive director and administrative assistant. Any additional staffing assistance will be provided by the Superintendent of Public Instruction. Documents, funding, books, and employees of the existing state board are transferred to the newly reconstituted board.

Professional Educator Standards Board (PESB)

The PESB will adopt policies and practices for educator, administrator, and educational staff associate preparation and certification. The certification responsibilities include approval of traditional and nontraditional preparation programs, preparation of a list of approved college programs, supervision of the issuance of educator certificates, and a review at least every five years of program approval standards. The PESB will specify the types and kinds of educator certificates, hear certification appeals, adopt rules, apply for federal funds, and submit annual reports to agencies and legislative committees. The PESB will also maintain data on educator certification, the quality of preparation programs, and employer needs.
The PESB will no longer advise the Superintendent of Public Instruction on the revocation or suspension of educator and administrator certificates.

Academic Achievement and Accountability Commission (A+ Commission)

The A+ Commission is abolished. With two exceptions, its powers and duties are repealed. The Commission's performance improvement goal responsibilities have been reassigned to the state board. Responsibilities to establish performance standards for the certificate of academic achievement were assigned to the legislature, with advice from the state board. The commission's files, books, employees, and funding is transferred to the state board.

Appropriation: None.

Fiscal Note: Available.

Effective Date: The bill takes effect 90 days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.