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                                                      HOUSE BILL 1636

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State of Washington                              53rd Legislature                             1993 Regular Session

By Representatives Dorn, Brumsickle and Orr; by request of Superintendent of Public Instruction

Read first time 02/03/93.  Referred to Committee on Education.

Changing provisions relating to the admission to practice examination for teachers.

          AN ACT Relating to the admission to practice examination for teacher candidates; and amending RCW 28A.410.030.

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

        Sec. 1.  RCW 28A.410.030 and 1991 c 116 s 21 are each amended to read as follows:

          The state board of education shall require a uniform state admission to practice examination for teacher certification candidates((.  Commencing)) and other candidates for certification as the board deems appropriate.  No later than August 31, ((1993)) 1997, teacher certification candidates completing a teacher preparation program shall be required to pass an admission to practice examination before being granted an initial certificate.  The state board of education shall set the specific date for requiring passage of the test for admission to practice.  The examination shall test knowledge, writing skills,  and competence in subjects including, but not limited to, instructional skills, classroom management, and student behavior and development.  ((The examination shall consist primarily of essay questions.))  The state board of education shall adopt such rules as may be necessary to implement this section including, but not limited to, rules establishing the fees assessed persons who apply to take the examination and the circumstances, if any, under which such fees may be refunded in whole or part.  Fee revenues received under this section shall be deposited in the state admission to practice examination revolving fund hereby established in the custody of the state treasurer.  The fund is subject to the allotment procedures provided under chapter 43.88 RCW, but no appropriation is required for disbursement.  The superintendent of public instruction shall be responsible for administering the examination program consistent with state board of education rules, and may enter into contracts for six or fewer years with public and private contractors to establish, equip, maintain, and operate the program, in whole or part.  The superintendent of public instruction shall expend moneys from the admission to practice examination revolving fund exclusively for the direct and indirect costs of establishing, equipping, maintaining, and operating the examination program.

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