Read first time 01/27/09.   Referred to Committee on Higher Education.

     AN ACT Relating to work experience as an entry requirement for the alternative route partnership grant program; and amending RCW 28A.660.040.

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

Sec. 1   RCW 28A.660.040 and 2006 c 263 s 817 are each amended to read as follows:
     Partnership grants funded under this chapter shall operate one to four specific route programs. Successful completion of the program shall make a candidate eligible for residency teacher certification. For route one and two candidates, the mentor of the teacher candidate at the school and the supervisor of the teacher candidate from the higher education teacher preparation program must both agree that the teacher candidate has successfully completed the program. For route three and four candidates, the mentor of the teacher candidate shall make the determination that the candidate has successfully completed the program.
     (1) Partnership grant programs seeking funds to operate route one programs shall enroll currently employed classified instructional employees with transferable associate degrees seeking residency teacher certification with endorsements in special education, bilingual education, or English as a second language. It is anticipated that candidates enrolled in this route will complete both their baccalaureate degree and requirements for residency certification in two years or less, including a mentored internship to be completed in the final year. In addition, partnership programs shall uphold entry requirements for candidates that include:
     (a) District or building validation of qualifications, including ((three)) one year((s)) of successful student interaction and leadership as a classified instructional employee;
     (b) Successful passage of the statewide basic skills exam, when available; and
     (c) Meeting the age, good moral character, and personal fitness requirements adopted by rule for teachers.
     (2) Partnership grant programs seeking funds to operate route two programs shall enroll currently employed classified staff with baccalaureate degrees seeking residency teacher certification in subject matter shortage areas and areas with shortages due to geographic location. Candidates enrolled in this route must complete a mentored internship complemented by flexibly scheduled training and coursework offered at a local site, such as a school or educational service district, or online or via video-conference over the K-20 network, in collaboration with the partnership program's higher education partner. In addition, partnership grant programs shall uphold entry requirements for candidates that include:
     (a) District or building validation of qualifications, including ((three)) one year((s)) of successful student interaction and leadership as classified staff;
     (b) A baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited institution of higher education. The individual's college or university grade point average may be considered as a selection factor;
     (c) Successful completion of the content test, once the state content test is available;
     (d) Meeting the age, good moral character, and personal fitness requirements adopted by rule for teachers; and
     (e) Successful passage of the statewide basic skills exam, when available.
     (3) Partnership grant programs seeking funds to operate route three programs shall enroll individuals with baccalaureate degrees, who are not employed in the district at the time of application. When selecting candidates for certification through route three, districts shall give priority to individuals who are seeking residency teacher certification in subject matter shortage areas or shortages due to geographic locations. For route three only, the districts may include additional candidates in nonshortage subject areas if the candidates are seeking endorsements with a secondary grade level designation as defined by rule by the professional educator standards board. The districts shall disclose to candidates in nonshortage subject areas available information on the demand in those subject areas. Cohorts of candidates for this route shall attend an intensive summer teaching academy, followed by a full year employed by a district in a mentored internship, followed, if necessary, by a second summer teaching academy. In addition, partnership programs shall uphold entry requirements for candidates that include:
     (a) ((Five years' experience in the workforce;
     (b))) A baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited institution of higher education. The individual's grade point average may be considered as a selection factor;
     (((c))) (b) Successful completion of the content test, once the state content test is available;
     (((d))) (c) External validation of qualifications, including demonstrated successful experience with students or children, such as reference letters and letters of support from previous employers;
     (((e))) (d) Meeting the age, good moral character, and personal fitness requirements adopted by rule for teachers; and
     (((f))) (e) Successful passage of statewide basic skills exams, when available.
     (4) Partnership grant programs seeking funds to operate route four programs shall enroll individuals with baccalaureate degrees, who are employed in the district at the time of application, or who hold conditional teaching certificates or emergency substitute certificates. Cohorts of candidates for this route shall attend an intensive summer teaching academy, followed by a full year employed by a district in a mentored internship. In addition, partnership programs shall uphold entry requirements for candidates that include:
     (a) ((Five years' experience in the workforce;
     (b))) A baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited institution of higher education. The individual's grade point average may be considered as a selection factor;
     (((c))) (b) Successful completion of the content test, once the state content test is available;
     (((d))) (c) External validation of qualifications, including demonstrated successful experience with students or children, such as reference letters and letters of support from previous employers;
     (((e))) (d) Meeting the age, good moral character, and personal fitness requirements adopted by rule for teachers; and
     (((f))) (e) Successful passage of statewide basic skills exams, when available.