FINAL BILL REPORT

SB 5371

PARTIAL VETO

                             C 10 L 90 E1

BYSenators Gaspard, Bailey and Bauer

Establishing an award for excellence in teacher preparation.

Senate Committee on Education

House Committe on Education

SYNOPSIS AS ENACTED

BACKGROUND:

The state currently supports programs to recognize students' academic and vocational achievements and to recognize the contributions of teachers, principals, school boards, and superintendents.  It is suggested that a similar state-level program be established to recognize the contributions made by those who educate teachers, faculty of teacher preparation programs.

Practicing teachers who supervise student teachers are an important link in the state's system of teacher preparation.  It is suggested that one way the state can recognize these "cooperating" teachers for the time and energy they contribute to teacher candidates is to provide stipends.

SUMMARY:

Washington Award for Excellence in Teacher Preparation Program:

The Washington Award for Excellence in Teacher Preparation Program is established to recognize each year one teacher preparation faculty member from one teacher preparation program approved by the State Board of Education.  The Governor, the president of the State Board of Education, and the Superintendent of Public Instruction shall present a certificate to the recipient.

The professional education advisory board of the institution from which the teacher educator is selected may apply for an educational grant not exceeding $2,500 within one year after the award.

The State Board of Education adopts rules including selection criteria.  Selection criteria include innovations in teacher preparation programs and communication about those efforts.

Excellence in Teacher Preparation Program:

The Excellence in Teacher Preparation Program is established to provide cooperating teachers for all student teachers during their student teaching internship.  The Superintendent of Public Instruction shall adopt rules governing the program.

All student teacher interns from a teacher preparation program approved by the State Board of Education will be provided a cooperating teacher for up to two academic quarters.  The cooperating teacher, in collaboration with the school principal, will provide sustained training and support to the intern, and be involved in evaluations and recommendations regarding the intern's competency.

The cooperating teachers will be appointed by school districts in a joint selection process with the institutions of higher education.  Candidates must hold a continuing professional certificate to be eligible for selection.

Through supplemental contracts, cooperating teachers will be paid salary stipends from state general funds appropriated for this purpose.  Funds may also be appropriated for the institutions of higher education, in consultation with the Superintendent of Public Instruction, to provide training workshops for cooperating teachers.

The Excellence in Teacher Preparation Program becomes effective when funds are appropriated by the Legislature.

Appropriation:  $2,500 to the SPI for the Washington Award for Excellence in Teacher Preparation Program.

VOTES ON FINAL PASSAGE:

     Senate   47    0

     House 97  0

     Senate          (Returned to Rules by resolution)

First Special Session

     Senate   46    0

     House 96  0

EFFECTIVE:July 1, 1990

Partial Veto Summary:  Language precluding the Superintendent of Public Instruction from adopting rules for the Excellence in Teacher Preparation Program until the program is funded is deleted.  The SPI may adopt rules, though the program is not effective until funded by the Legislature.  (See VETO MESSAGE)