BILL REQ. #:  S-0337.1 

Read first time 01/15/09.   Referred to Committee on Higher Education & Workforce Development.

     AN ACT Relating to creating a bi-state partnership for teachers of children with visual impairments; adding a new section to chapter 28B.30 RCW; creating a new section; and making and appropriation.

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

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 1   The legislature finds that Washington needs to provide additional resources for the preparation of teachers for children with blindness and visual impairments. The legislature further finds that Portland State University has a nationally recognized program for teachers of children with visual impairments and that a collaborative partnership between Portland State University and Washington State University-Vancouver would help address the critical need for teachers of the blind and visually impaired in Washington. The legislature intends to provide a vision impairments/orientation and mobility coordinator to be housed at Washington State University-Vancouver.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 2   A new section is added to chapter 28B.30 RCW to read as follows:
     Washington State University shall establish the position of vision impairments/orientation and mobility coordinator to be housed at Washington State University-Vancouver. The coordinator shall:
     (1) Recruit Washington students for preparation as teachers for children who are blind or visually impaired;
     (2) Develop partnerships with school districts with Washington schools that provide services to children who are blind or visually impaired;
     (3) Supervise enrolled students and coordinate experiences with mentor teachers;
     (4) Coordinate and instruct in the orientation and mobility summer curriculum as an adjunct faculty;
     (5) Serve as a liaison between Portland State University and Washington State University-Vancouver; and
     (6) Seek grants and independent funding sources for the program.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 3   The sum of two hundred thousand dollars, or as much thereof as may be necessary, is appropriated for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2010, from the general fund to Washington State University for the purposes of this act.