SENATE BILL REPORT

EHB 485

BYRepresentatives Valle, Holland, Ebersole, Wang, Peery, Unsoeld, P. King, Spanel, Pruitt, Winsley and Todd; by request of Superintendent of Public Instruction and State Board of Education

Continuing the beginning teachers assistance program.

House Committe on Education

Rereferred House Committee on Ways & Means

Senate Committee on Education

Senate Hearing Date(s):March 25, 1987; April 2, 1987

Senate Staff:Larry Davis (786-7422)

AS OF APRIL 2, 1987

BACKGROUND:

The Beginning Teacher Assistance Program was established as a pilot program in 1985.  Eighty-nine beginning teacher/mentor teacher teams participated in the program during the 1985-86 school year.  703 teams are participating this current 1986-87 school year.  The report by the Superintendent of Public Instruction on the results of the program indicate it has been successful.  The report includes a recommendation that the program be continued.

There are currently no statutory or regulatory provisions requiring candidates for initial teacher certification to take a competency examination as a prerequisite to earning initial certification.  It is suggested that a test of teaching skills knowledge be required and that a subject matter examination be considered.

SUMMARY:

The sunset date for the Beginning Teacher Assistance Program is repealed and the program is made ongoing.

The bill clarifies that beginning teachers and mentor teachers may include anyone who possesses a certificate issued by the Superintendent of Public Instruction.

Mentor teachers are required to inform their principals periodically about the contents of training sessions and other program activities.

The Beginning Teacher Assistance Program will provide workshops and release time for beginning teachers as well as mentor teachers, and stipends for mentor teachers.

The Superintendent of Public Instruction is required to consult periodically with educational organization and association representatives, including educational service districts and public and private colleges and universities, for the purpose of improving communication and cooperation and program review.

The Superintendent must report to the Legislature on the results of the program by December 31, 1987.

No person may be admitted to a professional teacher preparation program within Washington state without first demonstrating competency in speaking, writing, and mathematics.  For persons applying for the 1990-91 school year and thereafter, the student must score at a level not less than the median score for all students taking the standardized test used for determining competency at that institution.

An exit test shall be given to all students completing a professional teacher preparation program after January 1, 1990. The student must pass the exit test before being granted a teaching certificate.  The examination shall include, but not be limited to, knowledge and competence in instructional skills, classroom management, and pupil discipline.  The test shall consist primarily of essay questions, but may include some objective questions.

The State Board of Education shall adopt rules to implement the entrance and exit tests.

Each candidate for a teaching certificate shall be endorsed in one or more subject matter or teacher specializations.  The State Board of Education shall adopt rules allowing candidates to pass a specific written examination at specified levels to earn an endorsement in lieu of course work.  These rules shall be adopted by March 15, 1988.

The State Board of Education shall issue to the Legislature a recommendation as to whether all teacher candidates should be required to pass a written subject matter examination no later than January 1, 1990.  The recommendation shall be based on the State Board's experience in the sample examination of teacher candidates who qualify for endorsements based on other criteria.

Fiscal Note:      available

Effective Date:The bill contains an emergency clause and takes effect June 15, 1987.