HB 2212-S2 - DIGEST

(DIGEST AS ENACTED)

Provides that all credits earned in furtherance of degrees earned by certificated staff, that are used to increase earnings on the salary schedule consistent with RCW 28A.415.023, must be obtained from an educational institution accredited by an accrediting association recognized by rule of the state board of education.

Requires the office of the superintendent of public instruction to verify for school districts the accreditation status of educational institutions granting degrees that are used by certificated staff to increase earnings on the salary schedule consistent with RCW 28A.415.023.

Requires the office of the superintendent of public instruction to provide school districts with training and additional resources to ensure they can verify that degrees earned by certificated staff, that are used to increase earnings on the salary schedule consistent with RCW 28A.415.023, are obtained from an educational institution accredited by an accrediting association recognized by rule of the state board of education.

Provides that certificated staff who submit degrees received from an unaccredited educational institution for the purposes of receiving a salary increase shall be fined three hundred dollars. The fine shall be paid to the office of the superintendent of public instruction and used for costs of administering this act.

Provides that, in addition to the fine in this act, certificated staff who receive salary increases based upon degrees earned from educational institutions that have been verified to be unaccredited must reimburse the district for any compensation received based on these degrees.

Provides that any certificate or permit authorized under chapter 28A.410 RCW or chapter 28A.405 RCW shall be suspended or revoked, according to the provisions of this act, by the authority authorized to grant the certificate upon a finding that an employee has engaged in an unauthorized use of school equipment to intentionally access material depicting sexually explicit conduct or has intentionally possessed on school grounds any material depicting sexually explicit conduct; except for material used in conjunction with established curriculum. A first time violation of this subsection shall result in either suspension or revocation of the employee's certificate or permit as determined by the office of the superintendent of public instruction. A second violation shall result in a mandatory revocation of the certificate or permit.