AN ACT Relating to the governor's graduate teacher and principal fellowship program; amending RCW 28B.80.360; and adding a new chapter to Title 28B RCW.

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

Sec. 1. Section 7, chapter 370, Laws of 1985 as amended by section 20, chapter 136, Laws of 1986 and RCW 28B.80.360 are each amended to read as follows:

The board shall perform the following administrative responsibilities:

(1) Administer the programs set forth in the following statutes: Chapter 28A.58 RCW (Washington scholars); chapter 28B.04 RCW (displaced homemakers); chapter 28B.85 RCW (degree-granting institutions); RCW 28B.10.210 through 28B.10.220 (blind students subsidy); RCW 28B.10.800 through 28B.10.824 (student financial aid program); chapter 28B.12 RCW (work study); RCW 28B.15.067 through 28B.15.076 (educational costs for establishing tuition and fees); RCW 28B.15.543 (tuition waivers for Washington scholars); RCW 28B.15.760 through 28B.15.766 (math and science loans); RCW 28B.80.150 through 28B.80.170 (student exchange compact); RCW 28B.80.240 (student aid programs); ((~~and~~)) RCW 28B.80.210 (federal programs); and chapter 28B.-- RCW (sections 2 through 10 of this act) (governor's graduate teacher and principal fellowship program).

(2) Study the delegation of the administration of the following: RCW 28B.65.040 through 28B.65.060 (high-technology board); chapter 28B.85 RCW (degree-granting institutions); RCW 28B.80.150 through 28B.80.170 (student exchange compact programs); RCW 28B.80.200 (state commission for federal law purposes); RCW 28B.80.210 (enumerated federal programs); RCW 28B.80.230 (receipt of federal funds); RCW 28B.80.240 (student financial aid programs); RCW 28A.58.824 through 28A.58.830 (Washington scholars); RCW 28B.15.543 (Washington scholars); RCW 28B.04.020 through 28B.04.110 (displaced homemakers); RCW 28B.10.215 and 28B.10.220 (blind students); RCW 28B.10.790, 28B.10.792, and 28B.10.802 through 28B.10.844 (student financial aid); RCW 28B.12.040 through 28B.12.070 (student work study); RCW 28B.15.100 (reciprocity agreement); RCW 28B.15.730 through 28B.15.736 (Oregon reciprocity); RCW 28B.15.750 through 28B.15.754 (Idaho reciprocity); RCW 28B.15.756 and 28B.15.758 (British Columbia reciprocity); and RCW 28B.15.760 through 28B.15.764 (math/science loans). The board shall report the results of its study and recommendations to the legislature.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 2. Unless the context clearly requires otherwise, the definitions in this section apply throughout this chapter.

(1) "Board" means the higher education coordinating board.

(2) "Institutions of higher education" shall mean (a) any public university or college operated by the state of Washington or any political subdivision thereof or (b) any other university, college, school, or institute in the state of Washington offering instruction beyond the high school level which is a member institution of an accrediting association recognized by rule of the board for the purposes of this section. Any institution, branch, extension or facility operating within the state of Washington which is affiliated with an institution operating in another state must be a separately accredited member institution of the accrediting association. No institution of higher education shall be eligible to participate in a student financial aid program unless it agrees to and complies with program rules adopted under RCW 28B.10.822.

(3) "Program" means the governor's graduate teacher and principal fellowship program.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 3. The governor's graduate teacher and principal fellowship program is created. The program shall provide fellowship awards in recognition of the accomplishments of eligible graduate students pursuing a master's degree leading to initial or professional teacher certification or participating in a principal preparation program.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 4. In return for receiving the fellowship, graduate students shall agree to serve on a governor's fellow advisory council for at least three years following graduation. The purpose of the council shall be to provide the governor, the superintendent of public instruction, the state board of education, the higher education coordinating board, higher education institutions, and other members of the education community with expert advice on the teaching and school administration professions.

The council shall meet at least once each year. Meetings shall be at the discretion of the governor or the governor's designee.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 5. The board shall develop and administer the program and shall be responsible for monitoring and evaluating the effectiveness of the program.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 6. The board shall appoint an advisory committee comprised of teachers, school principals, and leaders in business, the social service field, government, and higher education. The advisory committee shall assist the board in:

(1) Establishing guidelines for the administration of the program;

(2) Developing eligibility criteria;

(3) Developing a selection process; and

(4) Selecting fellowship recipients.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 7. The program shall be designed to:

(1) Provide superior teaching candidates and school principal candidates with financial assistance while they pursue a master's degree leading to an initial or professional certificate or participate in a principal preparation program;

(2) Increase the number of underrepresented minorities becoming teachers and principals;

(3) Reward scholastic and professional achievement;

(4) Provide an incentive to students who are committed to becoming teachers or principals; and

(5) Encourage colleges and universities to identify students with the potential to be outstanding teachers or principals who qualify for the program.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 8. (1) Fellowships available through the program shall include:

(a) Fellowships for graduate students enrolled in a master's in teaching degree program leading to an initial teacher's certificate;

(b) Fellowships for students enrolled in an approved master's degree program leading to a professional teacher's certificate; and

(2) Up to one hundred fellowships shall be made available beginning in the 1990-91 school year as specified in the appropriations act. Fellowships shall be awarded to eligible graduate students enrolled in a master's in teaching degree program.

(3) Up to two hundred fellowships shall be made available beginning in the 1990-91 school year as specified in the appropriations act. Up to one hundred fifty of the fellowships shall be awarded to eligible graduate students enrolled in an approved master's degree program, and up to fifty of the fellowships shall be awarded to eligible graduate students enrolled in a principal preparation program.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 9. (1) The board, in cooperation with an advisory committee, shall establish eligibility criteria and select fellowship recipients.

(2) Eligibility criteria shall require that recipients:

(a) Be Washington residents;

(b) Have potential ability in classroom teaching if seeking initial certificates, demonstrated ability in classroom teaching if seeking professional certificates, or potential ability to serve successfully as school principals if seeking administrator certificates;

(d) Be admitted to a master's in teaching degree program, an approved master's degree program, or a principal preparation program in a public or private Washington state institution of higher education;

(e) Be admitted and agree to register as full-time graduate students if receiving a master's in teaching fellowship grant; and

(f) For individuals pursuing approved master's degree programs or principal preparation programs, provide evidence of recent employment in a Washington public or private P-12 school system.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 10. Each fellowship award shall specify that:

(1) The fellowship award shall specify the amount of the award and apply to one year of attendance as defined by the institution of higher education the student is attending;

(2) Use of the fellowship shall be subject to the various academic requirements, disciplinary standards, and other requirements and standards related to attendance and graduation established by the institution of higher education; and

(3) A fellowship recipient shall not be eligible to receive more than one award.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 11. Sections 2 through 10 of this act shall constitute a new chapter in Title 28B RCW.