H-757                _______________________________________________

                                                   HOUSE BILL NO. 1234

                        _______________________________________________

State of Washington                               51st Legislature                              1989 Regular Session

By Representatives Braddock, Brough, H. Sommers, Locke, Bristow, Cole, Spanel, Kremen, Crane, Haugen, R. Fisher, Rasmussen, Belcher, Raiter, Holland, Smith, Todd, Chandler, Winsley, Dellwo, Leonard, Fuhrman, May, Schoon, Youngsman, Beck, Brekke, Ballard, Silver, Miller and Brumsickle

Read first time 1/18/89 and referred to Committee on Education.

AN ACT Relating to teacher certification; amending RCW 28A.70.040 and 28A.04.174; and repealing RCW 28A.70.042.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:

        Sec. 1.  Section 212, chapter 525, Laws of 1987 and RCW 28A.70.040 are each amended to read as follows:

          (1) The state board of education shall adopt rules providing that all individuals qualifying for an initial-level teaching certificate after August 31, 1992, shall possess a baccalaureate degree in the arts, sciences, and/or humanities and have fulfilled the requirements for teacher certification pursuant to RCW 28A.04.120 (1) and (2).  However, candidates for grades preschool through six certificates shall have fulfilled the requirements for a major as part of their baccalaureate degree.  If the major is in early childhood education, elementary education, or special education, the candidate must have at least thirty quarter hours or twenty semester hours in one academic field.

          (2) The state board of education shall study the impact of eliminating the major in education under subsection (1) of this section and submit a report to the legislature by January 15, 1990.  The report shall include a recommendation on whether the major in education under subsection (1) of this section should be eliminated.

          (((3) The initial certificate shall be valid for two years.

          (4) Certificate holders may renew the certificate for a three-year period by providing proof of acceptance and enrollment in an approved masters degree program.  A second renewal, for a period of two years, may be granted upon recommendation of the degree-granting institution and if the certificate holder can demonstrate substantial progress toward the completion of the masters degree and that the degree will be completed within the two-year extension period.  Under no circumstances may an initial certificate be valid for a period of more than seven years.))

        Sec. 2.  Section 216, chapter 525, Laws of 1987 and RCW 28A.04.174 are each amended to read as follows:

          The state board of education shall review and develop by January 15, 1990, standards which address the minimum professional educational requirements necessary for initial or professional certification for persons entering education from other fields, and for other persons who want to enter education.  The standards shall include:

          (1) An internship or field experience requirement that is coordinated with the state teacher assistance program as it relates to beginning teachers.  The board shall consider providing for a paid internship and, as necessary, recommend payment options to the legislature;

          (2) Completion of professional education coursework equivalent to that required for initial-level teacher certification and which may be taken as part of or in conjunction with a masters degree program ((required under RCW 28A.70.042)); and

          (3) Teaching experience as determined by the state board.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 3.  Section 215, chapter 525, Laws of 1987 and RCW 28A.70.042 are each repealed.