FINAL BILL REPORT
SSB 5479
PARTIAL VETO
C 525 L 87
BYSenate Committee on Education (originally sponsored by Senators Gaspard, Bauer, Bender, Williams, Talmadge, DeJarnatt, Wojahn and Smitherman; by request of Office of the Governor)
Providing for the improvement of teachers and schools.
Senate Committee on Education
House Committe on Education
Rereferred House Committee on Ways & Means/Appropriations
SYNOPSIS AS ENACTED
BACKGROUND:
National, state, private sector, and legislative studies have touched upon a number of educational issues, including: the impact of laws and state-level regulations on local school district operations and educational programs; teacher certification, including testing requirements; training and certification standards for principals; the quality of teacher preparation programs, including student teaching opportunities; alternative certification requirements; and education in-service. It is suggested that improvements in these and other areas can strengthen Washington's public school system and promote educational excellence.
SUMMARY:
This Governor's request legislation deals with a schools for the 21st century pilot program, pilot primary block education programs, teacher and principal preparation and certification requirements, and staff development.
The Schools for the 21st Century pilot program is established to allow selected schools to restructure operations through waivers of some statutes and regulations. The Governor shall appoint a 10 member task force to assist the State Board of Education in developing criteria governing grant application procedures, reviewing applications, selecting projects, monitoring and evaluating the program.
Pilot projects receive funding for two years but with State Board approval may continue for up to six years. The State Board selects not more than 21 school projects per biennium and at least one entire school district may be selected. Initial projects will begin during the 1988-89 school year.
Grant applications are submitted by district boards and include: Provisions for certificated and classified staff to be employed on supplemental contracts for at least ten days beyond the 180 day school year; evaluation and accountability processes used in measuring student performance; justification for at least the first two years of each waiver requested.
The State Board of Education and the Superintendent of Public Instruction are authorized to grant waivers from statutes or administrative rules. Rules dealing with public health, safety and civil rights shall not be waived. The State Board is to report to the Legislature by January 15, 1989, and each odd- numbered year thereafter. The projects will terminate on June 30, 1994.
Pilot primary block education programs are established through the Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction. Grants are awarded to selected districts and SPI may receive and administer gifts, grants and contributions for the program.
Effective after June 30, 1989, no one may be admitted to a teacher preparation program who has a combined score on the Washington Pre-College Test (WPCT) that is less than the statewide median score for the prior school year scored by all persons taking the WPCT.
The State Board is to adopt a uniform state exit examination for initial certification. Effective after August 31, 1993, candidates must pass the pedagogy examination in order to receive initial certification.
Effective after August 31, 1992, an applicant for initial teacher certification must hold a baccalaureate degree in the arts, sciences and/or humanities. Candidates for preschool through grade six certificates shall have fulfilled the requirements for a degree major. If the major is in early childhood, elementary, or special education, at least 30 quarter or 20 semester hours must be in one academic field. For professional level certification, after August 31, 1992, candidates must hold a masters in teaching or in the arts, sciences, and/or humanities.
The initial certificate is valid for two years and may be renewed for three by enrollment in a masters program. An additional two-year extension may be granted if the candidate shows substantial progress and that the degree will be completed in the extension period. The initial certificate is valid for no more than seven years.
New rules for certification of principals are to be adopted by the State Board. To obtain initial-level certification, candidates must hold a professional-level teaching certificate. To obtain professional-level certification candidates must complete a course of study through the administrators academy or an SPI approved program offered by professional associations or higher education institutions.
The SPI is to establish an administrators' academy which shall focus on methods of developing and refining the administrative and leadership skills of school administrators and is to report on implementation and progress by January 15, 1989.
The State Board of Education shall by January 15, 1990: (1) study the impact of eliminating the education major and submit a report to the Legislature; (2) make recommendations regarding a written subject matter examination for certification; (3) develop standards for professional certification for persons entering education from other fields; and, (4) with the Higher Education Coordinating Board develop standards for a masters in teaching degree program.
The State Board of Education is to establish a pilot program for innovative ways to expand student teaching opportunities throughout the state. SPI awards the grant funds and applications must include provisions for training for cooperating teachers, other building or district personnel, and field-based supervisors of student teachers. If no more than one grant application is approved, it must include participation by an educational service district. The project expires January 16, 1990, and a report to the legislature is to be submitted by January 15, 1990.
The Washington Award for Excellence in Teacher Preparation is established to recognize each year one teacher educator from the state's teacher preparation programs. The teacher preparation program unit of the higher education institution from which the educator is selected is eligible to apply for a grant of up to $2,500.
Building-level staff development plans must be included as part of a district's needs assessment if the district applies for state funds under the In-Service Training Act and such plans must be consistent with the goals of basic education.
The SPI is to appoint a temporary task force to identify state and local district requirements for forms and paperwork by teachers. After such identification, the SPI shall recommend ways in which local and state reporting requirements might be combined and streamlined.
VOTES ON FINAL PASSAGE:
Senate 26 23
House 95 2 (House amended)
Senate (Senate refused to concur)
House (House refused to recede)
Free Conference Committee
House 97 0
Senate 37 9
EFFECTIVE:June 15, 1987 (Section 303)
July 26, 1987
Partial Veto Summary: The Governor's veto removes the following programs and provisions: grant program for primary block education pilot programs; establishment of an administrator's academy; new principal certification requirements; Washington Award for Excellence in Teacher Preparation program; temporary teacher paperwork reduction task force. (See VETO MESSAGE)