Washington State
House of Representatives
Office of Program Research		 BILL
ANALYSIS
Education Committee

HB 2773

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: Regarding instructional support services in schools.

Sponsors: Representatives Barlow, Haigh, Seaquist, O'Brien, McCoy, Ormsby, Hasegawa, Schual-Berke, Moeller, Warnick, Roberts, Morrell and Kenney.

Brief Summary of Bill
  • Requires allocation of funds to school districts for an additional .48 Certificated Instructional Staff per 1,000 full-time equivalent students in grades six through12, to be used for increased instructional support services by certificated school counselors and librarians, if funds are provided for this purpose.

Hearing Date: 1/31/08

Staff: Barbara McLain (786-7383).

Background:

Certificated Instructional Staff (CIS) is a term that includes teachers, counselors, librarians, nurses, school psychologists, and other individuals who must be certified by the state to provide instruction and instructional support services in public schools. The state funding formulas for the General Apportionment Program (the program that provides the bulk of state Basic Education funding) generally allocate funds to school districts based on a staffing ratio of 53.2 CIS per 1,000 average annual full-time equivalent (FTE) students in grades kindergarten through four and 46 CIS per 1,000 FTE students in grades five through 12. The formulas do not distinguish between the various types of CIS, nor is there any statement of legislative intent or direction to school districts about prioritizing among the various staff.

Summary of Bill:

If funds are provided, the Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction allocates funds to school districts for an additional .48 CIS per 1,000 FTE students in grades six through 12. Allocated funds must be used to increase instructional support services provided by certificated school counselors and librarians. These funds are not considered part of Basic Education.

The Legislature assumes that the funds are sufficient for school districts to provide an additional .5 FTE counselor or librarian for an average-sized high school of 600 students, prorated based on the size of the school for smaller and larger schools.

Appropriation: None.

Fiscal Note: Requested on January 22, 2008.

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