HOUSE BILL REPORT
SB 6740
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 Passed House:
March 5, 2008
Title: An act relating to the provision of teacher certification services.
Brief Description: Regarding the provision of teacher certification services.
Sponsors: By Senators Regala, King, McAuliffe and Rasmussen.
Brief History:
Education: 2/26/08 [DP].
Floor Activity:
Passed House: 3/5/08, 96-0.
Brief Summary of Bill |
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HOUSE COMMITTEE ON EDUCATION
Majority Report: Do pass. Signed by 9 members: Representatives Quall, Chair; Barlow, Vice Chair; Priest, Ranking Minority Member; Anderson, Assistant Ranking Minority Member; Haigh, Liias, Roach, Santos and Sullivan.
Staff: Barbara McLain (786-7383).
Background:
The Professional Educator Standards Board (PESB) establishes the fees for issuing or
renewing educator certificates. With some exceptions, fees are collected by the Educational
Service Districts (ESDs). In 2006-07, a total of $542,000 in fee revenue was collected. By
law, fees can be used only for professional preparation and development activities and
program evaluation according to rules adopted by the PESB. Currently the rules direct that
the ESDs retain half of the revenue they collect, and the remaining half is allocated to the
Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI).
One of the core functions of the ESDs is to provide personnel services such as certification
and registration services. In this capacity, the ESDs assist individuals seeking educator
certification by compiling necessary documents such as transcripts, applications, test scores,
and fingerprints, and forwarding completed files to the OSPI, who issues the actual
certificate. The ESD certification officers also provide technical assistance and customer
service for applicants. The ESDs estimate that the cost of providing these services was
$501,000 for 2006-07. About $251,000 of the cost was recouped by a $20 processing fee for
each certificate.
Summary of Bill:
In addition to other authorized uses, educator certification fees may be used for provision of
certification services by the ESDs, based on rules adopted by the PESB.
Appropriation: None.
Fiscal Note: Not requested.
Effective Date: The bill takes effect 90 days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.
Staff Summary of Public Testimony:
(In support) This is a technical change to allow the PESB to redirect a portion of fees to
support the operation of the ESD certification offices. There is no additional fee. This is a
stop-gap measure to address the shortfall of funding for the ESD core services. The ESDs
work closely with school administrators and with the OSPI and provide a high level of
customer support for teacher and principal candidates.
(Opposed) None.
Persons Testifying: Jim Shoemake, Educational Service Districts; Nasue Nishida, Professional Educator Standards Board; Jolynn Berge, Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction; and Barbara Mertens, Washington Association of School Administrators.