SENATE BILL REPORT

ESB 6166

BYSenator Bailey

Changing provisions relating to the teacher assistance program.

Senate Committee on Education

Senate Hearing Date(s):January 12, 1988; January 18, 1988

Majority Report:  Do pass as amended and refer to Committee on Ways & Means.

      Signed by Senators Bailey, Chairman; Kiskaddon, Vice Chairman; Bauer, Bender, Benitz, Craswell, Gaspard, Lee, Rinehart.

Senate Staff:Larry Davis (786-7422)

                  January 19, 1988

Senate Committee on Ways & Means

Senate Hearing Date(s):February 3, 1988

Majority Report:  Do pass as amended by Committee on Education.

      Signed by Senators McDonald, Chairman; Craswell, Vice Chairman; Bauer, Bluechel, Cantu, Fleming, Gaspard, Hayner, Johnson, Lee, Moore, Newhouse, Saling, Smith, Talmadge, Vognild, Warnke, Wojahn, Zimmerman.

Senate Staff:Ken Kanikeberg (786-7715)

                  February 12, 1988

AS PASSED SENATE, FEBRUARY 11, 1988

BACKGROUND:

In 1985 the Legislature established the Beginning Teacher Assistance Program on a pilot basis to provide the support and assistance of mentors to teachers in their first year of teaching.  In 1987 the Legislature made the program on-going, renamed it the Teacher Assistance Program and allowed experienced teachers to participate.  The primary emphasis of the Teacher Assistance Program is on beginning teachers.  It is suggested that the intent of the program to also serve experienced teachers be clarified.

SUMMARY:

School districts are encouraged to view the Teacher Assistance Program as an available means by which experienced teachers can turn to a mentor teacher as a source of support and assistance.

An obsolete reporting date for the Superintendent of Public Instruction is repealed and the superintendent is required to submit to the Legislature a biennial report on the Teacher Assistance Program.

Stipends for mentor and beginning teachers shall be paid on a supplemental contract not subject to continuing contract law.

Appropriation:    $1,038,000 to the Superintendent of Public Instruction

Revenue:    none

Fiscal Note:      available

Senate Committee - Testified: EDUCATION: (FOR) Judy Hartmann, Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction; Dwayne Slate, Washington State School Directors Association; Bob Fisher, Washington Education Association

Senate Committee - Testified: WAYS & MEANS:  Karen Davis, Washington Education Association (for); Bruce Mrkvicka, Superintendent of Public Instruction (for)