Title: An act relating to bonuses for teachers attaining national board for professional teaching standards certification.

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

Sponsors: Senators Kastama, Oke, Rasmussen, Kohl-Welles and Esser.

Brief History:

Committee Activity: Early Learning, K-12 & Higher Education: 1/16/06.

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

Staff: Ingrid Mungia (786-7423)

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, 900 teachers have received NBPTS certification.
Currently, teachers receive an annual bonus not to exceed $3,500 for each year they hold a national board certificate.

Summary of Bill: Certified instructional staff who attain certification from NBPTS will receive an annual bonus of ten thousand dollars each year they maintain their certification. The annual bonus is provided in addition to compensation received under a district's salary schedule.

Appropriation: None.

Fiscal Note: Requested on January 12, 2006.

Committee/Commission/Task Force Created: No.

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