SENATE BILL REPORT
HB 3215



As Reported By Senate Committee On:
Early Learning, K-12 & Higher Education, February 22, 2006

Title: An act relating to teacher retention in rural school districts.

Brief Description: Continuing the teacher retention study.

Sponsors: Representatives Cox, Newhouse, Ormsby and Kenney.

Brief History: Passed House: 2/09/06, 96-2.

Committee Activity: Early Learning, K-12 & Higher Education: 2/22/06 [DP].


SENATE COMMITTEE ON EARLY LEARNING, K-12 & HIGHER EDUCATION

Majority Report: Do pass.Signed by Senators McAuliffe, Chair; Pridemore, Vice Chair, Higher Education; Weinstein, Vice Chair, Early Learning & K-12; Schmidt, Ranking Minority Member; Berkey, Carrell, Delvin, Eide, Kohl-Welles, Rasmussen, Rockefeller, Schoesler and Shin.

Staff: Stephanie Yurcisin (786-7438)

Background: Researchers at the University of Washington (UW) have completed a study, "Teacher Retention and Mobility in Washington State: A Look Inside and Across Districts and Schools." The study used a sample of 20 districts and focused on classroom teachers at two points in time: 1998 and 2002.

Key findings from the report include:

Summary of Bill: The Legislature finds that recent research by the UW sheds light on teacher retention, attrition, and mobility in Washington. Additional analysis and a more complete data set are needed to make valid findings for small and rural school districts.

The UW must continue its research on teacher retention, attrition, and mobility. The UW is directed to complete a study that examines patterns of teacher behavior in small and rural school districts. The study is due to the Legislature by December 1, 2006.

Appropriation: None.

Fiscal Note: Available.

Committee/Commission/Task Force Created: No.

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

Testimony For: The previous study by the UW focused on suburban districts; part of that report acknowledged that the problem of retention and maintenance of teaching corps may be greater for rural districts. Mobility among teaching staff can be a huge detriment in terms of teaching to students.

Testimony Against: None.

Who Testified: PRO: Representative Cox, prime sponsor.

Signed in, Unable to Testify & Submitted Written Testimony: Neal Kirby, citizen.