Washington State House of Representatives Office of Program Research | BILL ANALYSIS |
Education Committee |
ESB 5714
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: Providing conditional funding for teachers to pursue national board for professional teaching standards certification.
Sponsors: Senators Tom, Jarrett and Shin.
Brief Summary of Engrossed Bill |
|
Hearing Date: 3/17/09
Staff: Cece Clynch (786-7195)
Background:
Certificated instructional staff who have received certification from the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards (NBPTS) receive an annual bonus for each year in which they maintain the certification. The bonus is $5000 and increases by inflation.
To be eligible for NBPTS certification, a person must:
Hold a bachelor's degree;
Have completed 3 full years of teaching/counseling; and
Possess a valid state teaching/counseling license for that period of time.
A nonrefundable $65 processing charge is required at the time of NBPTS application. "Candidacy" officially starts upon submission of a nonrefundable $500 initial fee. This initial fee is applied to the $2500 assessment fee.
Summary of Bill:
Certificated instructional staff who have met the eligibility requirements and applied for NBPTS certification shall received a conditional $2000 advance on the first annual bonus. The Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction may adjust the amount of the advance to reflect the current assessment fee. In no case, however, may the advance include the initial fee.
This advance is in addition to compensation which may be received pursuant to a school district's salary schedule. It may not be included in calculations of a school district's average salary and associated salary limitation.
In the event that a recipient of an advance fails to receive NBPTS certification within three years, repayment is required. The OSPI is to adopt rules to define the terms for receipt and repayment, including applicable fees.
Recipients of the advance who do attain NBPTS certification receive the remainder of their first annual bonus during the first year that they are eligible for the bonus.
Appropriation: None.
Fiscal Note: Available.
Effective Date: The bill takes effect 90 days after adjournment of the session in which the bill is passed.