AN ACT Relating to the graduate teacher fellowship program; amending RCW 28B.80.360; adding new sections to chapter 28B.15 RCW; and providing an expiration date.

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

NEW SECTION. Sec. 1. The legislature finds that the creation of the master's degree requirement for the certification of teachers in the state of Washington has created additional financial obstacles for students pursuing studies leading to initial or continuing teacher certification. The legislature declares that it is of critical importance to the state and its people that the supply of outstanding candidates in this state for the teaching profession not be diminished by these additional obstacles. Therefore, the legislature finds that it is in the public interest and an important public purpose to create a pilot program to provide outstanding teachers and teaching candidates with financial assistance while they pursue a master's degree leading to an initial or continuing professional teaching certificate. The legislature intends that this pilot program should also be designed to serve the following public purposes: (1) Increase the number of underrepresented minorities entering the teaching profession; (2) reward outstanding scholastic and professional achievement; (3) provide incentives to outstanding students who have a sincere interest in, or commitment to, the teaching profession; and (4) encourage colleges and universities in this state to identify outstanding teacher education students who can qualify for this program.

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. For the purposes of this subsection, any institution, branch, extension, or facility operating within the state of Washington which is affiliated with an institute 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 Washington graduate teacher fellowship program created in section 3 of this act.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 3. The Washington graduate teacher 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 continuing professional teacher certification.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 4. The board shall develop and administer the program and shall be responsible for monitoring and evaluating the effectiveness of the program.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 5. The board shall appoint an advisory committee comprised of members representing (1) teachers, (2) teacher preparation programs, (3) school districts, (4) business, and (5) the social service field. The advisory committee shall assist the board in establishing guidelines for the administration of the program and in developing eligibility criteria and a selection process for recipients.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 6. The program and fellowships offered under the program shall be subject to the following terms and conditions:

(1) Fellowships available through the program shall include:

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

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

(2) The board may offer, from funds appropriated for that purpose, fellowships in an amount not to exceed fifteen thousand dollars each to eligible recipients.

(3) Of the total number of fellowships awarded in each academic year one-half shall be awarded to eligible graduate students enrolled in an approved master's degree program leading to an initial teaching certificate and one-half shall be awarded to eligible students enrolled in an approved master's degree program leading to a continuing professional teaching certificate.

(4) The maximum number of fellowships awarded under this program in any academic year shall be two hundred.

(5) The fellowship award shall be made for a one-year period of attendance at an institution of higher education as defined by the institution of higher education the recipient is attending.

(6) Use of the fellowship by the recipient 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.

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

(8) No fellowship shall be awarded to any student who is pursuing a degree in theology.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 7. (1) The board shall establish eligibility criteria and select fellowship recipients.

(2) At a minimum, the eligibility criteria shall require that recipients:

(a) Be Washington residents;

(b) Have demonstrated academic excellence in undergraduate studies;

(d) Be enrolled in a master's in teaching program or an approved master's degree program in an institution of higher education: PROVIDED, That for individuals pursuing an approved master's degree leading to continuing certification, eligibility shall be limited to full time classroom teachers only and they must provide evidence of employment within the past three years in a Washington public or private P-12 school system.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 8. The board shall award fellowships under the program beginning in the 1990-91 academic year.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 9. The board shall review the pilot graduate teacher fellowship program and report to the legislature by January 1, 1993, providing recommendations on continuing the program and on any changes necessary to improve the program.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 10. Sections 1 through 9 of this act shall cease to exist on July 1, 1993, unless reenacted by the legislature.

Sec. 11. 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 sections 1 through 10 of this act (Washington graduate teacher 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. 12. Sections 1 through 10 of this act shall be added to chapter 28B.15 RCW.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 13. If any provision of this act or its application to any person or circumstance is held invalid, the remainder of the act or the application of the provision to other persons or circumstances is not affected.