Washington State

House of Representatives

Office of Program Research

BILL

ANALYSIS

Education Committee

HB 1813

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 Summary of Bill

Creates a computer science and education grant program with three grants: a computer science frontiers grant, a computer science educator training grant, and a computer science technology grant.
Requires the Superintendent of Public Instruction and the Professional Educator Standards Board (PESB) to adopt computer science learning standards.
Requires the PESB to develop a K-12 computer science endorsement.
Changes the types of endorsements that K-12 and certain certificated elementary educators may pursue to qualify for the Retooling to Teach Mathematics and Sciences Conditional Scholarship Program, and renames it the Educator Retooling Conditional Scholarship Program.

Background:

Endorsements.

There are several pathways to endorsement and different types of endorsements. For example, Academic Endorsements and Career and Technical Education (CTE) endorsements differ in a fundamental way - a CTE endorsed teacher may only teach CTE courses, and these courses often will not apply toward core education requirements. There is no academic endorsement for computer science, only a CTE endorsement, which teachers may obtain by demonstrating to a teacher preparation program that they have experience in the field and have met the program's requirements.

Conditional Scholarship for Educators.

A conditional scholarship is a loan that is forgiven in whole or in part in exchange for service as a certificated teacher at a K-12 public school. The state forgives one year of loan obligation for every two years a recipient teaches in a Washington K-12 public school. When a recipient fails to continue with the required course of study, or teaching obligation, the recipient must repay the remaining loan principal with interest.

The Retooling Mathematics and Sciences Conditional Scholarship Program requires a K-12 teacher, or certificated elementary educator who is not employed in a position requiring an elementary education certificate, to pursue an endorsement in math or science to be eligible for the program. The conditional scholarship amount is determined by the Student Achievement Council, may not exceed $3,000 per year, and is applied to the cost of tuition, fees, and educational expenses.

Summary of Bill:

Grant Program.

The Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI) oversees three new grants within the computer science and education grant program. The OSPI may award:

a computer science frontiers grant to schools, school districts, educational service districts, or nonprofit organizations—a recipient must have supported underrepresented students with computer science and have a viable plan for their future support;
a computer science educator training grant to educators, schools, school districts, educational service districts, and nonprofit organizations for professional development; or
a computer science technology grant to schools and school districts to purchase or upgrade computer science course technology—The OSPI must prioritize schools and school districts with substantial enrollment of low-income, underrepresented, or rural students.

The Computer Science and Education Grant Matching Account is created in the custody of the state treasurer, to hold matching public and private funds for the three grants. The account is funded by gifts, grants or donations and matching funds appropriated by the Legislature. Expenditures of state money may not exceed the amount of private contributions.

Endorsements and Standards.

The OSPI and the Professional Educator Standard Board (PESB) must adopt computer science learning standards developed by a nationally recognized computer science education organization. The PESB must also develop standards for a K-12 computer science endorsement, which must facilitate dual endorsement in computer science and mathematics, science, or a related high-demand endorsement.

Conditional Scholarship for Educators.

The Retooling to Teach Mathematics and Sciences Conditional Scholarship Program is renamed as the Educator Retooling Conditional Scholarship Program. A K-12 teacher, or certificated elementary educator who is not employed in a position requiring an elementary education certificate, may qualify for the scholarship program by pursuing an endorsement in a subject or geographic endorsement shortage area, as defined by the professional educator standards board.