BILL REQ. #:  S-0854.1 

Read first time 01/18/2007.   Referred to Committee on Early Learning & K-12 Education.

     AN ACT Relating to grants for school districts recruiting mathematics and special education teachers on college campuses; creating a new section; making appropriations; and providing an expiration date.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 1   (1) The superintendent of public instruction shall establish a grant program to provide school districts with funds to visit college campuses and recruit undergraduate students to become mathematics and special education teachers. The recruits may be used to help school districts meet the need for additional mathematics teachers and improve student scores on the Washington assessment of student learning in mathematics. The Washington association of school administrators shall develop the criteria for eligible districts, which may include districts with low scores on the Washington assessment of student learning in mathematics.
     (2) School districts receiving grants under this section may determine how to apply the funds, including but not limited to sign-up bonuses, tuition payments, and recruiting students anywhere in the United States. Funds may not be directed at teacher preparation departments or programs.
     (3) The superintendent of public instruction shall report on the number of school districts that received grants and how the grants were used, and make recommendations to the legislature by December 1, 2009.
     (4) This section expires December 31, 2009.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 2   (1) The sum of five hundred thousand dollars, or as much thereof as may be necessary, is appropriated for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2008, from the general fund to the superintendent of public instruction for the purposes of this act.
     (2) The sum of five hundred thousand dollars, or as much thereof as may be necessary, is appropriated for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2009, from the general fund to the superintendent of public instruction for the purposes of this act.