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

HB 2775

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 bonuses for instructional staff certified by the national board for professional teaching standards.

Sponsors: Representatives Barlow, Moeller, Wood, O'Brien, Ormsby, Hasegawa, Green, Seaquist, Goodman, Roberts, Lantz, Sullivan, McIntire and Kelley.

Brief Summary of Bill
  • Reduces the school poverty threshold for nationally-certified instructional staff to receive an additional $5,000 bonus from 70 percent free or reduced lunch (FRL) in all schools to 60 percent FRL in middle schools and 50 percent FRL in high schools.

Hearing Date: 1/31/08

Staff: Barbara McLain (786-7383).

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 2007, the Legislature provided in statute that certificated instructional staff who have attained NBPTS certification will receive a bonus each year they maintain the certification. The bonus is $5,000 in 2007-08 and increases annually by inflation. Those NBPTS-certified staff in an instructional assignment in a school where at least 70 percent of the students qualify for federal free or reduced lunch (FRL) receive an additional $5,000 bonus.

According to figures from the Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI), there are 148 individuals eligible to receive the additional bonus. Of the 287 schools in the state that meet the poverty threshold, a disproportionate number are elementary schools. There are 200 elementary schools, 35 middle schools, and 22 high schools with 70 percent FRL students.

Summary of Bill:

Beginning with the 2007-08 school year, the school poverty threshold of 70 percent FRL students for NBPTS-certified staff to receive an additional $5,000 bonus is reduced to at least 60 percent FRL students in middle schools and at least 50 percent FRL students in high schools.

The OSPI must adopt a standard definition of elementary, middle, and high schools when implementing these provisions.

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.