HOUSE BILL REPORT

EHB 2560

BYRepresentatives Peery and Sprenkle

Permitting educational staff to attend certain out-of-state courses to fulfill continuing education requirements.

House Committe on Education

Majority Report:  Do pass as amended.  (18)

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

House Staff:Susan Patrick (786-7111)

AS PASSED HOUSE FEBRUARY 9, 1990

BACKGROUND:

Currently certificated personnel may receive credit on the salary schedule for approved continuing education credits.  The clock hours of continuing education credit will be the equivalent of a one credit college quarter course.  Approved continuing education credits are:  A) In-service programs which have been approved by a school district board of directors, which meet the standards adopted by the State Board of Education and were developed in conjunction with an in-service training task force, or B) In-service programs offered by an education agency approved to provide in-service continuing education by the State Board of Education.

SUMMARY:

The one hundred fifty clock hour continuing education requirement for individuals holding educational staff associate certification may be fulfilled by attending courses offered out-of-state that have been approved by state or national associations for individuals employed as psychologists, communication disorders specialists, occupational therapists, nurses, physical therapists, counselors, or social workers.

Fiscal Note:      Requested January 17, 1990.

House Committee ‑ Testified For:    John Swiger, Superintendent of Public Instruction and Walter Ball Association of Washington School Principals.

House Committee - Testified Against:      No one.

House Committee - Testimony For:    Some employees working in schools such as principals, psychologists, speech therapists, occupational therapists and nurses have difficulty finding courses that are of value to them that have been approved for continuing education credit by the State Board of Education.  They should be allowed to use courses approved by other states or professional associations for continuing education requirements.  The State Board may also offer a service like the State Bar Association which allows a member to submit information on a program and apply for credit individually.

House Committee - Testimony Against:      None.