H-256                _______________________________________________

                                                    HOUSE BILL NO. 899

                        _______________________________________________

State of Washington                              50th Legislature                              1987 Regular Session

By Representatives Rayburn and Valle

Read first time 2/13/87 and referred to Committee on Education.

AN ACT Relating to teachers; and adding a new section to chapter 28A.67 RCW.

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

NEW SECTION. Sec. 1.  A new section is added to chapter 28A.67 RCW to read as follows:

          (1) The state master teacher program is established to recognize superior ability among the state's instructional personnel and to provide an economic incentive to such personnel to continue teaching in the public schools.  Participation is voluntary.

          (2) To qualify as a master teacher, a person shall:

          (a) Have at least four years of teaching experience, at least two years of which shall be in this state, and shall hold a continuing contract;

          (b) Achieve a superior score on the appropriate subject area examination established by the superintendent of public instruction; and

          (c) Have received superior performance evaluations under RCW 28A.67.065.  The superintendent of public instruction shall establish standards for superior evaluations.

          (3) If, after conducting the evaluation of an applicant, the principal determines that the system does not adequately recognize the performance of the applicant, the principal may, upon stated reasons, recommend additional evaluation points for the applicant.  In such event, the evaluation shall be subject to review and approval by a third party who is successfully trained in the use of the performance evaluation system and approved by the superintendent of public instruction.

          (4) Documentation of meeting the requirements of subsection (2) of this section shall be forwarded to the superintendent of public instruction for review and approval or disapproval.  The master teacher designation shall be for a term of three years, contingent upon successful performance of assigned responsibilities.  However, the term of any master teacher whose qualification included documentation pursuant to subsection (3) of this section shall expire if the teacher fails to take or achieve a superior score on the applicable subject area examination when it is initially offered during the three-year term as master teacher.  The master teacher designation may be renewed upon proof of continuing to meet the criteria and upon satisfactory demonstration of  continued successful performance of responsibilities as established by the superintendent of public instruction.

          (5) The master teacher designation is transferable among the school districts of this state.

          (6) The superintendent of public instruction shall adopt rules for the state master teacher program as are necessary for its administration.  The rules shall include but are not limited to provisions for the determination of eligibility of individuals to receive awards and amounts of awards and the proper expenditure and appropriate distribution of funds to master teachers.

          (7) Awards shall be based upon available funds specifically appropriated for such purposes by the legislature.

          (8) Awards shall not be deemed to be compensation for any purpose.

          (9) This program shall be implemented beginning with the 1989-90 school year.