SENATE BILL REPORT

SB 5622

BYSenators Gaspard, Smitherman, Bauer and Bender; by request of Superintendent of Public Instruction and State Board of Education

Continuing the beginning teachers assistance program.

Senate Committee on Education

Senate Hearing Date(s):February 10, 1987; February 16, 1987; February 19, 1987

Majority Report:  That Substitute Senate Bill No. 5622 be substituted therefor, and the substitute bill do pass and be referred to Committee on Ways & Means.

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

Senate Staff:Larry Davis (786-7422)

                  March 5, 1987

Senate Committee on Ways & Means

Senate Hearing Date(s):March 5, 1987

Majority Report:  That Substitute Senate Bill No. 5622 as recommended by Committee on Education be substituted therefor, and the substitute bill do pass.

      Signed by Senators McDermott, Chairman; Gaspard, Vice Chairman; Bauer, Bluechel, Cantu, Fleming, Kreidler, Lee, McDonald, Moore, Owen, Rinehart, Saling, Talmadge, Warnke, Williams, Wojahn.

Senate Staff:Mike Williams (786-7439

                  March 5, 1987

AS REPORTED BY COMMITTEE ON WAYS & MEANS, MARCH 5, 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.

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The sunset date for the Beginning Teacher Assistance Program is repealed and the program is made ongoing.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 stipends, workshops and release time for beginning teachers as well as 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.

EFFECT OF PROPOSED SUBSTITUTE:

The name of the Beginning Teacher Assistance Program is changed to the Teacher Assistance Program, and the program is expanded to allow experienced teachers to participate and receive assistance from mentor teachers.

Mentor teachers may not be involved with evaluations of beginning or experienced teachers who receive assistance from mentor teachers under the Teacher Assistance Program.

School districts shall select the mentor teachers.  If a local bargaining unit exists in the district, teachers representing the bargaining unit must participate in the mentor teacher selection process.

Experienced teachers may include anyone who possesses a certificate issued by the SPI.

Fiscal Note:      available

Senate Committee - Testified: EDUCATION:  Dr. Frank Brouillet, Superintendent of Public Instruction; Judy Hartmann, Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction; Senator Cliff Bailey, sponsor (SB 5727); Bob Pickles, Washington Education Association

Senate Committee - Testified: WAYS & MEANS:  No one