Z-799                 _______________________________________________

                                                    HOUSE BILL NO. 730

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State of Washington                              50th Legislature                              1987 Regular Session

By Representatives Ebersole, Pruitt, Holland, Cole, Peery, Spanel, Jacobsen, P. King, Wang and Unsoeld; by request of Superintendent of Public Instruction and State Board of Education

Read first time 2/6/87 and referred to Committee on Education.

AN ACT Relating to teacher recruitment; and adding new sections to Title 28A RCW.

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

NEW SECTION. Sec. 1.     The legislature finds that it is important to have a teaching force that reflects the rich diversity of the students served in the public schools, and that certain groups, as characterized by ethnic background, are traditionally underrepresented in the teaching profession in the state of Washington.  It is the intent of the legislature to promote the profession of teaching to help increase the number of people from underrepresented groups in our teaching force.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 2.     A program to increase the number of people from underrepresented groups preparing for the teaching profession is established.  The program shall be administered by the superintendent of public instruction.  The pilot program shall include the following:

          (1) Encouragement of students in targeted groups in grades nine through twelve in the common schools to acquire the academic and related skills necessary to prepare for the study of teaching at an institution of higher education;

          (2) Promotion of teaching career opportunities to develop an awareness of such opportunities;

          (3) Provision of opportunities for students to experience the application of regular high school course work to activities related to a teaching career.

          (4) Provision for increased cooperation among institutions of higher education, the superintendent of public instruction, the state board of education, and local school districts in working toward the goals of the program.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 3.     The superintendent of public instruction is authorized to grant  funds to selected institutions of higher education and selected school districts to assist in the development and implementation of the program.  The superintendent of public instruction shall consult with representatives of higher education and various education organizations having an interest in  teacher recruitment issues.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 4.     Sections 1 through 3 of this act are added to Title 28A RCW.