SENATE BILL REPORT
SHB 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 of March 28, 2007

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: House Committee on Education (originally sponsored by Representatives Barlow, McCoy, Hunter, Seaquist, Eddy, Fromhold, Ormsby, Sells and Morrell).

Brief History:

Committee Activity: Early Learning & K-12 Education: 3/29/07.


SENATE COMMITTEE ON EARLY LEARNING & K-12 EDUCATION

Staff: Susan Mielke (786-7422)

Background: The National Board for Professional Teaching Standards (NBPTS) is a national, nonprofit organization that has developed standards for 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. As of January 2007, there were 1,310 NBPTS-certified instructional staff in Washington.

Summary of Substitute Bill: Three NBPTS certification bonuses are established in statute. 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 certified instructional staff.

Appropriation: None.

Fiscal Note: Available.

Committee/Commission/Task Force Created: No.

Effective Date: Ninety days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.