Washington State House of Representatives Office of Program Research | BILL ANALYSIS |
Education Committee |
HB 2531
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: Changing explicit alternative routes to teacher certification program requirements to expectations for program outcomes.
Sponsors: Representatives Pollet, Dahlquist, Seaquist, Santos, Stonier, Bergquist, Haler, Zeiger, Morrell, Roberts, Haigh and Freeman; by request of Professional Educator Standards Board.
Brief Summary of Bill |
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Hearing Date: 1/23/14
Staff: Megan Wargacki (786-7194).
Background:
The Professional Educator Standards Board (PESB) is a 13-member board responsible for establishing the requirements for state certification of educators and approving preparation and certification programs.
Alternative routes to teacher certification programs are partnerships between the PESB approved preparation programs, school districts, and others. These programs work with school district partners to identify core subject areas that are difficult to fill. The programs provide performance-based alternative paths for recruiting candidates to teach in program shortage areas.
Currently, applicants for the alternate route programs must submit a proposal that includes a description of the routes, a description of each party's role, assurances that mentors will be adequately trained, assurances that adequate mentor time will be provided, an identification of performance indicators and benchmarks, and a description of residency certification criteria. Programs may operate one to four specific routes, with each route specifying the candidates' education level, certification types, and time and requirements for program completion.
The Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction identifies school districts that need assistance in advancing cultural competency skills in their workforces. The PESB then helps these school districts develop a partnership grant program with teacher preparation programs. A partnership grant program proposed by one of these schools receives priority eligibility for partnership grants.
In 2010 the Legislature required the PESB to transition the partnership grant program from a separate competitive grant program to a preparation program model, which is a more traditional model.
Summary of Bill:
The bill specifies that the design of alternative route programs can evolve over time to reflect innovations and improvement in educator preparation.
The partnership grant program is reclassified as an alternative route partnership program.
The requirement that applicants for the alternative route program submit a proposal is removed. The requirement that the PESB establish policies for approval of nontraditional preparation programs and provide oversight and accountability related to program quality is added. The PESB is required, in establishing and amending rules for these programs, to:
uphold criteria for the program design that is innovative and reflects evidence-based practice;
continue to prioritize program designs tailored to the needs of experienced paraeducators and candidates of high academic achievement in the subject area they intend to teach, of which partnering districts have demonstrated need;
expand access and opportunity for individuals to become teachers statewide; and
give preference in admissions to applicants who are eligible veterans or national guard members and who meet the entry requirements for the program.
The PESB is required to report to the Legislature certain outcomes of the alternative route programs, starting Dec. 1, 2014 and each even-numbered year thereafter.
The statute containing specific descriptions of alternative route programs is repealed.
Appropriation: None.
Fiscal Note: Not requested.
Effective Date: The bill takes effect 90 days after adjournment of the session in which the bill is passed.