FINAL BILL REPORT

SSB 5266

                              C 29 L 89

BYSenate Committee on Education (originally sponsored by Senators Gaspard, Bailey, Rinehart, Lee, Fleming, Johnson, Anderson, Kreidler, Benitz, Talmadge and Bauer)

Providing baccalaureate and masters degree equivalencies for certification of vocational instructors.

Senate Committee on Education

House Committe on Education

SYNOPSIS AS ENACTED

BACKGROUND:

Current standards for certification of vocational instructors are provided by State Board of Education and Superintendent of Public Instruction rules.  Individuals who enter vocational education as instructors after a number of years in business or industry are able to attain certification based on that experience provided additional requirements are also met.

In 1987 the Legislature passed an act requiring the State Board of Education to adopt rules providing that all individuals qualifying for an initial-level teaching certificate possess a baccalaureate degree in the arts, sciences, and/or humanities for certification after August 31, 1992.  The State Board is also required to implement rules providing that after August 31, 1992, all applicant teachers for professional level (continuing) certification hold a masters degree in teaching, or in the arts, sciences, and/or humanities.

These new rules will prevent vocational institutes and schools from hiring non-degree holding individuals from the fields of business and industry.

SUMMARY:

The State Board of Education is required to develop and adopt rules establishing baccalaureate and masters degree equivalency standards for certification of vocational instructors and professional level vocational instructors who begin teaching after August 31, 1992.

VOTES ON FINAL PASSAGE:

     Senate   45    1

     House 97  0

EFFECTIVE:July 23, 1989