HOUSE BILL REPORT

                  HB 2160

                       As Passed House

                       March 14, 1997

Title:  An act relating to teacher internship credits.

Brief Description:  Providing for a joint legislative audit and review of internship credits granted to teachers.

Sponsors:  By House Committee on Appropriations (originally sponsored by  Representatives Thompson and Johnson).

Brief History:

Committee Activity:

Appropriations:  3/6/97 [DP].

Floor Activity:

Passed House:  3/14/97, 93‑0.

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON APPROPRIATIONS

Majority Report:  Do pass.  Signed by 30 members:  Representatives Huff, Chairman; Alexander, Vice Chairman; Clements, Vice Chairman; Wensman, Vice Chairman; H. Sommers, Ranking Minority Member; Doumit, Assistant Ranking Minority Member; Gombosky, Assistant Ranking Minority Member; Benson; Carlson; Chopp; Cody; Cooke; Crouse; Dyer; Grant; Keiser; Kenney; Kessler; Linville; Lisk; Mastin; McMorris; Parlette; Poulsen; Regala; D. Schmidt; Sehlin; Sheahan; Talcott and Tokuda.

Staff:  Jack Daray (786-7178).

Background:  Prior to 1995, certificated instructional staff could enhance professional skills through in-service training or continuing education.  The equivalent of one college credit is provided for each 10 hours of approved in-service training or continuing education for purposes of placement on the state salary schedule.  The schedule is used  for calculating salary allocations to school districts for state basic education staff.

The 1995 Legislature added college credit equivalencies through internships with business, industry or government.   For each 40 hours of participation in an internship, a certificated staff receives the equivalent of one college credit for purposes of placement on the state salary schedule.   The 1995 Legislature directed the Joint Legislative Audit and Review Committee (JLARC) to evaluate the effectiveness of internship credits compared to in-service and academic credits regarding effectiveness and productivity.  The evaluation is due December 15, 1997.

Summary of Bill:  The evaluation is focused on whether the internships have been applicable to the teachers educational responsibilities and resulted in improved teaching skills.  The date for the study has been extended to December 15, 1999, due to the extremely small sample size of participants to date.

Appropriation:  None.

Fiscal Note:  Not requested.

Effective Date:  Ninety days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.

Testimony For:  Doing the study in 1999 and with more focus on the direct effect of internships in business will provide a better evaluation than if rushed to meet the 1997 deadline.

Testimony Against:  None.

Testified:  Representative Thompson, prime sponsor.