AN ACT Relating to teacher preparation; adding a new section to chapter 28A.03 RCW; adding a new section to chapter 28A.04 RCW; adding a new section to chapter 28A.67 RCW; adding a new section to chapter 28A.70 RCW; and creating new sections.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:

NEW SECTION. Sec. 1. The legislature finds that the quality of teacher preparation programs is enhanced when a planned, sequenced approach is used that provides for the application of practice to academic course work. The legislature also finds that graduates of teacher preparation programs conducted by institutions of higher education in Washington complete, on the average, an additional three quarters of academic study beyond the minimum study requirements for most baccalaureate degrees.

The legislature intends to support continued progress toward the goal of better integration among the elements integral to quality teacher preparation programs including the elements of general knowledge acquisition, specialization in an academic field, educational pedogogy acquisition, and actual teaching experiences.

The legislature finds that establishing: (1) A teaching internship program; (2) a post-baccalaureate program resulting in a master's level degree; and (3) a review of the preparation standards for school principals and educational staff associates are appropriate next steps in enhancing the quality of educational personnel in Washington.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 2. (1) The superintendent of public instruction shall adopt rules to establish and operate a cooperating teacher program. The program shall operate on a pilot basis during the 1987-88 and 1988-89 school years. The purposes of this program are to provide adequate training for teachers who act as cooperating teachers and to provide compensation for the fulfillment of the duties required of a cooperating teacher. For the purposes of this section, the term "cooperating teacher" means a person possessing any one of the various certificates issued by the superintendent of public instruction under RCW 28A.70.005 who is supervising a person enrolled in a practicum course offered by the teacher preparation program of an institution of higher education.

(2) The cooperating teacher program developed by the superintendent of public instruction shall include:

(a) Workshops for the training of the cooperating teacher;

(b) Stipends for the cooperating teacher which shall not be deemed compensation for the purposes of salary lid compliance under RCW 28A.58.095 and the stipends shall not be subject to the continuing contract provisions of this title;

(c) Consultation by the superintendent of public instruction or the superintendent's designee with representatives of educational organizations and associations, including educational service districts and public and private institutions of higher education, for the purposes of developing the cooperating teacher program; and

(d) A report to the legislature describing the results of the program to be delivered not later than December 31, 1988.

(3) This section shall expire June 30, 1989.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 3. A new section is added to chapter 28A.67 RCW to read as follows:

The state board of education shall develop appropriate standards for a teacher internship program. The state board of education shall consult with institutions of higher education offering teacher preparation programs and other groups or organizations having an interest in teacher preparation issues as it develops the standards. The state board of education shall also take into consideration the means by which the internship program may be coordinated with a beginning teacher assistance program.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 4. A new section is added to chapter 28A.04 RCW to read as follows:

(1) The state board of education shall develop the standards for the implementation of a post-baccalaureate education preparation program that results in the acquisition of a masters-level degree in teaching. The program shall: (a) Build upon the program of courses required for teacher certification as provided by RCW 28A.04.120 (1) and (2); and (b) provide for the application of academic theory to classroom practice.

(2) In developing the standards under subsection (1) of this section, the state board of education shall consult with institutions of higher education offering teacher preparation programs, the higher education coordinating board, and other groups or organizations having an interest in teacher preparation issues.

(3) The state board of education shall also review the requirements of preparation programs for school principals and educational staff associates. The results of this review shall be reported to the legislature on or before December 15, 1988, and shall address the appropriateness of existing preparation standards as they relate to the needs of persons fulfilling the role of principal or any one of the educational staff associate roles.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 5. A new section is added to chapter 28A.70 RCW to read as follows:

The state board of education shall implement rules providing that all teachers performing instructional duties and acquiring continuing level certificate status as of August 31, 1993, shall possess, as a requirement of continuing status, a masters degree in a liberal arts field, a masters degree in a science field, or a masters degree in teaching as provided for by section 4 of this act.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 6. A new section is added to chapter 28A.03 RCW to read as follows:

The superintendent of public instruction shall provide technical assistance to the state board of education in the conduct of the activities described in sections 3 through 5 of this act.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 7. Sections 1 through 5 of this act shall be known as the professional excellence act of 1987.