Washington State House of Representatives Office of Program Research | BILL ANALYSIS |
Education Committee |
HB 2381
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: Establishing a legislative task force on school counselors, psychologists, and social workers.
Sponsors: Representatives Ortiz-Self, Kilduff, Walsh, Peterson, Gregerson, Cody, Caldier, Jinkins, Reykdal, Frame, Stanford, Sells, McBride, Bergquist and Pollet.
Brief Summary of Bill |
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Hearing Date: 1/19/16
Staff: Ethan Moreno (786-7386).
Background:
School counselors, psychologists, and social workers are certificated instructional staff (CIS), and are often collectively referred to as Educational Staff Associates (ESA). Qualified applicants for an ESA certificate can anticipate two levels of certification during their career: a first-level regular certificate, and an advanced-level regular certificate.
As it does for other CIS, the Professional Educator Standards Board (PESB) establishes the policies and practices for the approval of programs of courses, requirements, and other activities leading to certification. The PESB also establishes policies and practices for the approval of the character of work required to be performed as a condition of entrance to and graduation from any ESA preparation program. The PESB also establishes a list of accredited institutions of higher education whose graduates may be awarded ESA certificates.
Summary of Bill:
A 10-member legislative task force on school counselors, psychologists, and social workers (task force) is established for the purpose of reviewing:
the projected need of school districts for each category of ESA;
the current capacity of the state for meeting this need;
alternative routes for ESA certification; and
social work, psychologist, and counselor preparation programs to determine whether the professionals completing these programs have the proper preparation to handle the mental health and safety needs of students and to provide students with social and emotional supports.
The membership of task force is to be comprised as follows:
The President of the Senate must appoint one member from the Early Learning and K-12 Education Committee.
The Speaker of the House of Representatives must appoint one member from the Education Committee.
The Governor must appoint one member representing the PESB, and one member representing counselor, social worker, and psychologist preparation programs.
The Superintendent of Public Instruction (SPI) must appoint one member representing the Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction.
The SPI must, after consultation with associations representing counselors, social workers, psychologists, educators, and principals, appoint one member representing each association.
The PESB must facilitate the task force and provide staff support.
The task force must report its findings and recommendations to the appropriate committees of the Legislature, the SPI, and the Governor by December 1, 2016.
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.