| Washington State House of Representatives Office of Program Research |
BILL ANALYSIS |
| Education Committee | |
HB 1432
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.
Brief Description: Granting service credit to educational staff associates for nonschool employment.
Sponsors: Representatives P. Sullivan, Upthegrove, Simpson, Hunter, Moeller, Linville, Schual-Berke and Santos.
Brief Summary of Bill |
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Hearing Date: 2/9/07
Staff: Andrew Colvin (786-7304).
Background:
Through the apportionment process, the state makes payments to school districts for the salaries
of basic education certificated instructional staff. Certificated instructional staff include both
teachers and other professionals called educational staff associates (ESAs) who meet certification
requirements adopted by the State Board of Education (SBE). ESA's include: (1) occupational
therapists; (2) physical therapists; (3) speech-language pathologists; (4) audiologists; (5) nurses;
(6) social workers; (7) counselors; and (8) psychologists.
Funding for all certificated instructional staff salaries is based on a state salary allocation
schedule that is implemented in the state's biennial operating budget. The salary allocation
schedule is used by the state to account for differences in the education and experience of each
district's certificated instructional staff.
ESA's are currently included in the statewide salary allocation schedule. This schedule takes into
account years of service and educational background. However, the current years of service
determination applies only to service in schools (both public and private), but not to service in
other non-school positions, such as work in a hospital, physician's office, or counseling center.
According to the Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction, schools are having greater
difficulty recruiting ESA's, and as a result, schools have had to contract out for some services.
Summary of Bill:
Beginning in the 2007-08 school year, the certificated instructional staff salary allocation
schedule will recognize years of professional experience obtained by educational staff associates
(ESAs) outside of a school setting. The ESA's included are: school nurses, occupational
therapists, physical therapists, speech-language pathologists, audiologists, social workers,
counselors, and psychologists.
Each year of service outside of the school system will count as one year of school service on the
state salary allocation schedule.
Appropriation: None.
Fiscal Note: Available for Proposed Substitute.
Effective Date: The bill takes effect 90 days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.