Washington State

House of Representatives

Office of Program Research

BILL

ANALYSIS

Education Committee

HB 2575

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: Requiring that certain teacher assignment and reassignment data be included in data submitted to the office of the superintendent of public instruction.

Sponsors: Representatives Bergquist, Dahlquist, Stonier and Santos; by request of Professional Educator Standards Board.

Brief Summary of Bill

  • Requires school districts to record in the statewide student data system the dates of teacher assignment and reassignment, no later than the 2014-15 school year.

Hearing Date: 1/30/14

Staff: Barbara McLain (786-7383).

Background:

The Professional Educator Standards Board (PESB) is charged with maintaining the state's system of educator preparation and certification. Legislation enacted in 2010 also directed the PESB to convene regional meetings of school districts and educator preparation programs to examine data and discuss topics related to educator workforce supply and demand. In its first report on this topic, the PESB concluded that many school districts do not finalize hiring of new teachers until August or September. Some wait to finalize contracts until after the start of the school year and instead rely on substitute teachers for an indeterminate duration.

The full extent of late hiring practices in Washington is not known. School districts are currently required to record in the statewide student data system the certification number for each teacher assigned to each class, along with the students enrolled in that class. However, the date the teacher is assigned to the class is not recorded.

Summary of Bill:

No later than the beginning of the 2014-15 school year, school districts must report the dates of teacher assignment and reassignment in the statewide student data system.

Appropriation: None.

Fiscal Note: Available.

Effective Date: The bill takes effect 90 days after adjournment of the session in which the bill is passed.