HB 2262

HOUSE BILL REPORT
HB 2262

This analysis was prepared by non-partisan legislative staff for the use of legislative members in their deliberations. This analysis is not a part of the legislation nor does it constitute a statement of legislative intent.

As Reported by House Committee On:
Education
Appropriations

Title: An act relating to salary bonuses for individuals certified by the national board for professional teaching standards.

Brief Description: Providing salary bonuses for individuals certified by the national board for professional teaching standards.

Sponsors: Representatives Barlow, McCoy, Hunter, Seaquist, Eddy, Fromhold, Ormsby, Sells and Morrell.

Majority Report: The substitute bill be substituted therefor and the substitute bill do pass. Signed by 8 members: Representatives Quall, Chair; Barlow, Vice Chair; Priest, Ranking Minority Member; Anderson, Assistant Ranking Minority Member; Haigh, McDermott, Roach and P. Sullivan.

Background:

The National Board for Professional Teaching Standards (NBPTS) is a national, nonprofit organization that has developed standards for highly accomplished teaching and a voluntary system to certify teachers who meet those standards. There are also NBPTS certificates for librarians and school counselors. In Washington, instructional staff can use NBPTS certification in lieu of a professional certificate. Funding is provided through federal and private sources to assist candidates with the application fee. Since 1999, state funding has been provided through the appropriations act for a bonus for NBPTS-certified staff. The 2005-07 biennial budget provides an annual bonus of $3,500. The bonus program has not been created in statute. As of January 2007, there were 1,310 NBPTS-certified instructional staff in Washington.

Summary of Substitute Bill:

Instructional staff with NBPTS certification receive a bonus for each year they maintain the certification. The amount of the bonus is $5,250 for Fiscal Year 2008 and $5,400 for Fiscal Year 2009. Thereafter, the amount is established in the operating budget, except the amount may be prorated if more than 5 percent of the eligible instructional staff in the state receive certification and the resulting cost of providing bonuses exceeds the legislative appropriation for them.

The NBPTS-certified staff who meet certain criteria are eligible for additional bonuses:

(1) Individuals in an instructional assignment in a school where at least 70 percent of the students qualify for federal free and reduced lunch receive an additional $5,000 bonus.

(2) Individuals with NBPTS certification in middle level or high school mathematics or science who are in a math or science instructional assignment in a school where at least 70 percent of the students qualify for federal free and reduced lunch receive an additional $10,000 bonus.

Bonuses are in addition to other compensation and not included in state salary limitations for certificated instructional staff.

Substitute Bill Compared to Original Bill:

Rather than a $5,000 annual bonus, all NBPTS-certified teachers receive $5,250 for fiscal year 2008 and $5,400 for fiscal year 2009. Thereafter, the bonus amount is established in the operating budget.

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

Staff Summary of Public Testimony:

(In support) It is appropriate to reward teachers who go the extra mile to get certified. Districts and students benefit from the extra knowledge and skills these teachers bring to the classroom. Teachers should be encouraged to seek this level of skill.

(With concerns) The larger need is to fully fund K-12 education. This is a good idea, but we need to focus on the bigger picture. It would have been better to base the bonus on 10 percent of salary. There is much stronger support for that approach. There should not be a limitation or cap on the number or percent of teachers who could receive the full bonus.

(Opposed) None.

Persons Testifying: (In support) Representative Barlow, prime sponsor.

(With concerns) Mitch Denning, Alliance of Education Association; Lucinda Young, Washington Education Association; and Kyra Kester, Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction.

Majority Report: The second substitute bill be substituted therefor and the second substitute bill do pass and do not pass the substitute bill by Committee on Education. Signed by 33 members: Representatives Sommers, Chair; Dunshee, Vice Chair; Alexander, Ranking Minority Member; Bailey, Assistant Ranking Minority Member; Anderson, Buri, Chandler, Cody, Conway, Darneille, Dunn, Ericks, Fromhold, Grant, Haigh, Hinkle, Hunt, Hunter, Kagi, Kenney, Kessler, Kretz, Linville, McDermott, McDonald, McIntire, Morrell, Pettigrew, Priest, Schual-Berke, Seaquist, P. Sullivan and Walsh.

Summary of Recommendation of Committee On Appropriations Compared to Recommendation of Committee On Education:

The second substitute bill clarifies that the bonuses paid to national board certified teachers will be paid in a lump sum, and shall not be considered "earnable compensation" for the purposes of calculating pension benefits.

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

Staff Summary of Public Testimony:

(In support) The Superintendent of Public Instruction is very supportive of this legislation. She is pleased to see the larger bonuses, which she has supported for quite some time. She is concerned about the pro-rating once the number of teachers hits 5 percent of total teachers. This puts a damper on the effectiveness of the incentive for teachers to improve their skills. We hope that these teachers will move to our highest poverty schools, and we think they will greatly help the students in those schools. They are excellent teachers.

The Washington Education Association supports this legislation and likes that the national board bonuses will be incorporated into statutes. We are concerned about the imposition of a cap at 5 percent. We think a lot of teachers will be interested, and we think we may reach that landmark fairly quickly. It remains to be seen whether additional bonuses for just math and science teachers will create a divisive environment between teaching colleagues.

Persons Testifying: (In support) Jennifer Priddy, Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction; and Lucinda Young, Washington Education Association.