SENATE BILL REPORT

SB 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.

Majority Report: Do pass.

Signed by Senators McAuliffe, Chair; Kauffman, Vice Chair, Early Learning; Oemig, Vice Chair, K-12; King, Ranking Minority Member; Brandland, Hobbs, Holmquist, Jarrett, McDermott and Tom.

Background: Under current law, certificated instructional staff who have attained national board certification receive a bonus each year in which they maintain certification. Starting in the 2007-08 school year, the annual bonus is $5,000. The bonus increases with inflation. Those teachers eligible for the annual $5,000 national board certification bonus may also be eligible for additional bonuses if they teach in a school in which at least 70 percent of the students qualify for a free and reduced-price lunch program.

Summary of Bill: Teachers who have applied and met eligibility requirements for national board certification will receive a conditional advance on the first annual bonus in the amount of $2,500 in addition to compensation received under a district's salary schedule, to encourage more teachers to pursue certification. Recipients who fail to receive certification after three years are required to repay the advanced money. Certificated staff who receive an advance will receive the remainder of their first annual bonus during the first year in which they are eligible.

Staff Summary of Public Testimony (Early Learning & K-12 Education): PRO: This is an important bill. Due to the present economic situation, we must determine how to make a difference in education while spending a minimal amount of dollars. This bill is a step in the right direction. Studies have shown that moving an average teacher into the 85th percentile of teachers has the same effect as halving the class size. This bill provides a manner in which teachers can move to the next level. This $2,500 advance allows people, who were initially unable to afford the national certification process, to start the process and motivates them to finish the program. It is a phenomenal experience that should be spread throughout the school system.

This $2,500 advance would inspire more teachers to go through the certification process. Washington State has the third most teachers in the country going through the national certification process. It is having a positive impact on high needs schools, communities, and students. Retention rates have increased. National board teachers have proven to be effective in the classroom and leaders in their schools. Accomplished teachers should continue to be rewarded.

Persons Testifying (Early Learning & K-12 Education): PRO: Michaela Miller, Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction; Jen Brotherton, Olympia School District; Lucinda Young, Washington Education Association.

Staff Summary of Public Testimony (Ways & Means): PRO: This is a great program; probably the only problem with it is the very significant $2,500 fee to start the process. As we all know, most of our young teachers are just coming out of college and just getting started. They might be saddled with debt, or trying to buy their first home. Although you might have a $5,000 increase in wages on the back end, if you can't front-load the $2,500 fee, there's no way to access that. This has been a great program in terms of making sure teachers have the tools and skills needed to progress with children in the classroom.