BILL REQ. #:  H-2160.1 

READ FIRST TIME 02/23/09.   

     AN ACT Relating to paraeducator tutors; adding a new section to chapter 28A.400 RCW; and creating a new section.

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

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 1   (1) The legislature finds:
     (a) The office of the superintendent of public instruction recognizes the accomplishments of classroom paraeducators to attain professional growth development standards in order to increase students' learning achievement; and
     (b) There is a growing need to provide support for struggling students who have been identified as not meeting state academic standards. Highly trained paraeducators can have a significant impact on those students who fall short of grade level standards but do not meet the criteria to qualify for special education or Title I resources. Increasing the knowledge and skills of paraeducators will result in students reaching their highest potential.
     (2) The purpose of this act is to develop standards for paraeducators to increase their knowledge of learning disabilities, addressing different learning styles, teaching strategies, and decoding skills that will result in a positive impact on student achievement.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 2   A new section is added to chapter 28A.400 RCW to read as follows:
     (1) The superintendent of public instruction shall adopt rules establishing voluntary paraeducator tutor certification. Certification shall be for five-year periods.
     (2) The office of the superintendent of public instruction shall:
     (a) Develop paraeducator tutor certification standards, a certification process, and certification requirements; and
     (b) Approve professional development courses required for individuals with paraeducator tutor certification to maintain certification, in order to maximize the effectiveness of providing resources for students to achieve state standards and reach their highest possible academic potential.
     (3) Professional development courses approved under this section must be available in many different formats, including online and at the summer and winter institutes, for paraeducators to learn the standards and acquire the skills necessary for paraeducator tutor certification.
     (4) For the purposes of this section, a paraeducator tutor is a paraeducator who provides or assists in providing direct instruction to students.
     (5) The office of the superintendent of public instruction shall develop a proposal to provide incentives for individuals to pursue paraeducator tutor certification. The proposal shall be submitted to appropriate committees of the legislature by December 1, 2009.