SENATE BILL REPORT

SB 5727

BYSenators Bailey, Nelson, Benitz, Saling, Patterson, Johnson, Craswell, Zimmerman, Lee and Anderson

Changing the mentor teacher pilot program to a master teacher pilot program and extending it for one year.

Senate Committee on Education

Senate Hearing Date(s):February 10, 1987

Senate Staff:Larry Davis (786-7422)

AS OF FEBRUARY 10, 1987

BACKGROUND:

The Beginning Teacher Assistance Program, established in 1985, provides opportunities for experienced teachers to team with first year teachers to help the beginning teachers adjust to their initial year as fully contracted employees.  It is suggested that a similar pilot program for master teachers would provide benefits to teachers other than beginning teachers.

SUMMARY:

The pilot, two-year Beginning Teacher Assistance Program is extended for one year and the third year of the program shall be a master teacher program for up to 2,000 master teachers.

The program shall provide training workshops, stipends, which may not be deemed compensation for the purpose of salary lid compliance and which may not be subject to continuing contract provisions, and release time for master teachers to enable them to provide support and assistance to teachers in and outside the classroom.

A master teacher shall be a superior teacher based on his or her evaluation and must hold a valid continuing level certificate.

Master teachers selected for participation in the program must represent a reasonable distribution throughout all nine educational service districts.

If funding for the master teacher program is not provided by the Legislature by July 1, 1988, the program shall be null and void. If funding is provided, the program shall take effect when the legislation providing the funding takes effect.

Fiscal Note:      requested