SENATE BILL REPORT

SB 5247

BYSenators Gaspard, Bailey and Conner

Reviewing program approval standards for teachers, administrators, and educational staff associates.

Senate Committee on Education

Senate Hearing Date(s):January 21, 1987; January 26, 1987

Majority Report:  Do pass.

      Signed by Senators Gaspard, Chairman; Bauer, Vice Chairman; Rinehart, Vice Chairman; Bailey, Bender, Benitz, Craswell, Patterson, Saling, Smitherman, Warnke.

Senate Staff:Larry Davis (786-7422)

                  February 20, 1987

AS PASSED SENATE, FEBRUARY 20, 1987

BACKGROUND:

Current state law authorizes the State Board of Education to approve but not to disapprove teacher, administrator, and educational staff associate preparation programs.

The continuing expansion of the knowledge base relating to professional educator preparation suggests that a cyclical review of the state's program approval standards for teachers, administrators, and educational staff associates would help assure that such standards remain current.

SUMMARY:

The State Board of Education is granted specific authority to disapprove teacher, administrator, and educational staff associate preparation programs offered by the state's public and private institutions of higher education.

The State Board of Education is directed to review every five years the Board's program approval standards for preparation programs for teachers, administrators, and educational staff associates.

Fiscal Note:      none requested

Senate Committee - Testified: Dr. Monica Schmidt, Executive Director, State Board of Education; Dr. Jack Gilroy, President, Washington Council of Deans and Directors of Education