SENATE BILL REPORT

 

 

                                    HB 2495

 

 

BYRepresentatives H. Myers, Peery, G. Fisher, Brough, Phillips, Jacobsen and P. King 

 

 

Creating a uniform entry to practice assessment for teacher certification candidates.

 

 

House Committe on Education

 

 

Senate Committee on Education

 

      Senate Hearing Date(s):February 21, 1990

 

      Senate Staff:Susan Mosberg (786-7439)

 

 

                            AS OF FEBRUARY 21, 1990

 

BACKGROUND:

 

The 1987 Legislature adopted a requirement that students applying for teacher certification pass an examination.  Effective August 31, 1993, candidates completing a teacher education program will be required to pass the examination before being granted an initial teaching certificate.  The exam will test, at a minimum, knowledge of instructional skills, classroom management, and student behavior and development.  The test is to consist primarily of essay questions.

 

In response to the examination requirement, a committee of representatives from college and university teacher education programs and the Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction has been meeting to develop the examination.

 

In addition to essay questions, recent research in teacher testing and experience from other states suggests that other testing methods, such as interactive video and computer simulations, may be useful in evaluating teacher candidates.

 

SUMMARY:

 

The existing requirement that, effective August 31, 1993, teacher certificate candidates must pass an exit examination prior to receiving an initial certificate is amended.

 

Instead of passing an "exit examination" teacher certificate candidates must meet "assessment criteria" in an "entry to practice assessment."  The assessment criteria will consist of the same subjects that are currently to be tested:  knowledge and competence in subjects including, but not limited to, instructional skills, classroom management, and student behavior and development.

 

An existing requirement that the examination consist primarily of essay questions is deleted.

 

Appropriation:    none

 

Revenue:    none

 

Fiscal Note:      requested January 12, 1990