HOUSE BILL REPORT

HB 1681

BYRepresentatives Peery, Locke, Betrozoff, G. Fisher, H. Myers, Holland, Cole, Fraser, P. King, Jones, Walker, Pruitt, Winsley, Crane and Todd

Revising provisions for the salary allocation schedule.

House Committe on Education

Majority Report:  Do pass.  (18)

      Signed by Representatives Peery, Chair; G. Fisher, Vice Chair; Betrozoff, Ranking Republican Member; Brumsickle, Cole, Dorn, Fuhrman, Holland, Horn, Jones, P. King, Phillips, Pruitt, Rasmussen, Rayburn, Valle, Walker and K. Wilson.

House Staff:Susan Patrick (786-7111)

AS REPORTED BY COMMITTEE ON EDUCATION FEBRUARY 16, 1989

BACKGROUND:

In 1987, action taken by the Legislature expanded the definition of the type of credits which may be used for placement on the salary allocation schedule. The change allowed credit for placement on the salary schedule for in-service and continuing education classes on a ratio of 10 hours for one credit hour. This change has raised questions about how the state can assure the quality of in-service and continuing education classes.

In 1988, the adoption of the salary allocation model as the actual salary schedule for some districts included the definition that additional credit hours must be taken after the last highest degree to be counted on the salary schedule.  This resulted in some districts refusing to count credits for placement on the salary schedule which may have been counted before.  One group of teachers who were particularly angry were teachers who have taken courses toward completion of their fifth year requirement prior to the completion of their bachelors degree. Many of these teachers had been advised to do this because there was no place for them to student teach.  Since these courses were taken before their bachelors degree was awarded, they could not be counted on the new salary allocation model.  This group of teachers was particularly angry since the schools of education had authorized this change in sequence due to the school of educations' inability to provide sufficient student teaching sites.

SUMMARY:

Eligible credit or credits mean credits that may be applied to satisfy requirements for endorsements as defined by the State Board of Education or credits that satisfy general knowledge or pedagogy requirements as defined by the State Board of Education.

For purposes of placement on the allocation schedule, education credits earned while pursuing and in excess of the credits needed for awarded or conferred bachelor's and master's degree shall be determined by the Superintendent of Public Instruction by calculating the total eligible credits including:  (1)  Credits earned in excess of those required for the award of the employee's first bachelor's or master's degree; (2)  Credits earned after the awarding or conferring of the employee's first bachelor's or master's degree; (3)  Credits earned on or before October 1 of the year for which allocations are being calculated pursuant to this chapter; and (4)  Credits earned from a locally approved in-service training program meeting standards adopted by the state board of education or a state-approved continuing education agency.

Certificated employees may submit a letter identifying credits which are not currently counted in the employee's placement on the salary allocation model, but which the employee believes qualify under the terms of RCW 28A.41.112.  The employee must request a review of credits previously earned during the 1989-90 school year.  The request should be supported by transcripts and whether the credits are being claimed as applying to an endorsement or to fulfill pedagogy requirements.  No applications shall be accepted after June 10, 1990.  Credits that are accepted by the school district shall be counted toward placement on the salary allocation model for the 1990-91 school year.

Fiscal Note:      Requested February 2, 1989.

House Committee ‑ Testified For:    Bob Fisher, Washington Education Association.

House Committee - Testified Against:      None Presented.

House Committee - Testimony For:    We believe that teachers should be allowed to count courses for their placement on the allocation schedule if they fulfill the requirements for general pedagogy or for an endorsement.  This bill would allow a one year window in which to have credits reviewed for inclusion in the employee's placement on the allocation schedule.  We believe that if teachers have taken courses to improve their skills and knowledge these courses should be recognized.

House Committee - Testimony Against:      None Presented.