SENATE BILL REPORT
2SHB 2869
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 Reported By Senate Committee On:
Early Learning & K-12 Education, February 28, 2008
Title: An act relating to bonuses for nationally certified teachers who become principals.
Brief Description: Extending the national board for professional teaching standards bonus to certificated principals.
Sponsors: House Committee on Appropriations (originally sponsored by Representatives Liias, Sullivan, Ericks, Williams, Loomis, Simpson, Ormsby, Miloscia, Hasegawa, Roberts and Lantz).
Brief History: Passed House: 2/13/08, 87-8.
Committee Activity: Early Learning & K-12 Education: 2/27/08, 2/28/08 [DPA-WM].
SENATE COMMITTEE ON EARLY LEARNING & K-12 EDUCATION
Majority Report: Do pass as amended and be referred to Committee on Ways & Means.Signed by Senators McAuliffe, Chair; Tom, Vice Chair; King, Ranking Minority Member; Brandland, Hobbs, Holmquist, Kauffman, McDermott, Oemig, Rasmussen and Weinstein.
Staff: Kimberly Cushing (786-7421)
Background: The National Board for Professional Teaching Standards (NBPTS) is a nonprofit
organization comprised of teachers and other people interested in education. To be eligible for
certification, the applicant must hold a bachelor's degree, have completed three full years of
teaching/counseling experience, and possess a valid state teaching/counseling license. An
NBPTS certificate is valid for ten years and may be renewed for additional ten-year periods by
providing evidence that the teacher continues to meet the NBPTS standards.
In 2007 the Washington Legislature provided in statute that certificated instructional staff who
have attained NBPTS certification will receive a $5,000 bonus each year they maintain the
certification. The annual bonus increases by inflation. An additional bonus of $5,000 is available
for individuals with NBPTS certification who teach in a high poverty school, based on the school
having over 70 percent of the students eligible for free or reduced price lunch.
Currently Washington has 1,807 NBPTS-certified teachers.
Summary of Bill (Recommended Amendments): Certificated instructional staff who have
attained certification from the NBPTS receive a bonus for each year they maintain national board
certification even if they become certificated principals or superintendents.
A null and void clause is included.
EFFECT OF CHANGES MADE BY EARLY LEARNING & K-12 EDUCATION COMMITTEE (Recommended Amendments): Allows superintendents who maintain national board certification to receive the annual bonus.
Appropriation: None.
Fiscal Note: Available.
Committee/Commission/Task Force Created: No.
Effective Date: Ninety days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.
Staff Summary of Public Testimony on Second Substitute Bill: PRO: A strong principal can help create a strong educational team. We want principals with the same high level training that we encourage our teachers to have. Teachers have more confidence in principals with national board certification, and are also encouraged to get nationally certified themselves.
Persons Testifying: PRO: Representative Liias, prime sponsor; Jerry Bender, Association of Washington School Principals.