SENATE BILL REPORT
SB 5391
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. |
As of January 30, 2015
Title: An act relating to applied baccalaureate degree programs at community and technical colleges leading to teacher certification.
Brief Description: Concerning applied baccalaureate degree programs at community and technical colleges leading to teacher certification.
Sponsors: Senators Litzow, Rolfes, Fain, Rivers, Dammeier, Ranker, Hill, McAuliffe, Angel, Benton, Chase, Keiser, Jayapal and Conway.
Brief History:
Committee Activity: Early Learning & K-12 Education: 2/02/15.
SENATE COMMITTEE ON EARLY LEARNING & K-12 EDUCATION |
Staff: Matthew Lemon (786-7405)
Background: State Board for Community and Technical Colleges (SBCTC). There are currently 29 community colleges and five technical colleges in the state of Washington. SBCTC provides financial, academic, and information technology coordination for all 34 community and technical colleges.
SBCTC is authorized to select community or technical colleges to develop and offer applied baccalaureate degrees. In reviewing and selecting the colleges, SBCTC must use objective criteria that include, but are not limited to, the following:
capacity to make long-term commitment of resources to sustain a high-quality program;
can readily engage appropriately qualified faculty;
can demonstrate sufficient demand for the proposed program within its service area to make the program cost effective and feasible to operate;
can demonstrate employer demand for the level of technical training proposed within the program; and
proposed program fills a gap in the options available to students in its geographic area.
There are currently 15 community or technical colleges across the state offering applied bachelor's degrees.
Professional Educator Standards Board (PESB). The Washington PESB is responsible for establishing policies and requirements for the preparation and certification of education professionals. PESB must ensure educators seeking certification:
are competent in the professional knowledge and practice for which they are being certified;
have a foundation of skills, knowledge, and attitudes necessary to help students with diverse needs, abilities, cultural experiences, and learning styles meet or exceed the state learning goals; and
are committed to research-based practices and career-long professional development.
PESB also operates a program that provides support for the formation of partnerships between school districts and higher education teacher preparation programs to offer school-based alternative routes to teacher certification. There are four alternative routes allowed in current law.
Summary of Bill: The bill as referred to committee not considered.
Summary of Bill (Proposed Substitute): SBCTC, in consultation with PESB, must select up to five community or technical college sites to develop and offer applied baccalaureate programs in education that lead to teacher certification through a PESB-approved alternative route. The selected sites must admit candidates no later than the Fall 2016 academic term.
Appropriation: None.
Fiscal Note: Available.
Committee/Commission/Task Force Created: No.
Effective Date: Ninety days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.