BP BHEAD INT H [Atlas:Generic]

AN ACT Relating to alternate teacher certification; amending RCW 28A.150.410; adding a new section to chapter 28A.410 RCW; and creating a new section.

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

NEW SECTION. Sec. 1. It is the intent of the legislature to attract career professionals from diverse backgrounds into the teaching profession and prevent teacher shortages by making alternate teacher certification available to persons with baccalaureate degrees and relevant work experience or sufficient knowledge of the subject area to be taught. The alternate certificate established under section 2 of this act allows eligible persons to enter the classroom under the guidance and supervision of a school district and to qualify for initial teacher certification upon satisfactory completion of two years of full-time teaching.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 2. A new section is added to chapter 28A.410 RCW to read as follows:

(1) An individual may obtain an alternate teaching certificate that allows the individual to teach in the state of Washington. Each candidate for an alternate teacher's certificate shall:

(a) Possess a baccalaureate degree in the arts, sciences, or humanities from a college or university accredited by the Northwest association of schools and colleges or an equivalent accrediting organization;

(b) Have at least five years' work experience relevant to the subject area in which he or she is seeking an endorsement or endorsements, or sufficient knowledge of the subject area to be taught. The superintendent of the school district shall determine, on a case-by-case basis, what constitutes sufficient knowledge. This work experience or knowledge of the subject area shall meet the requirements for an endorsement or endorsements in the relevant subject area or areas;

(c) Meet the age and character requirements established by the state board of education for all certificated school staff, including compliance with the background check through the Washington state patrol criminal investigation system and the federal bureau of investigation as required under RCW 28A.410.010; and

(d) Possess a contract for employment in a school district of the state.

(2) Before beginning teaching under the alternate teacher certificate, the candidate shall develop with his or her employing school district a written plan for training, supervision, guidance, and support to be provided to the candidate by the district for the duration of the alternate certificate.

(3) The alternate teacher certificate allows the holder full authority to serve as a part‑time or full‑time teacher. The certificate shall be valid for not more than two years of full‑time teaching or its equivalent. A person desiring to teach beyond the expiration date of his or her alternate certificate shall apply for initial certification, or its equivalent, with the state board of education. Such certification shall be conditioned upon the satisfaction of all requirements in this section, two years of successful teaching as determined by the evaluation criteria used in the school district for teachers, and a recommendation by the principal supervising the candidate. State certification shall not require additional course work or experience.

(4) Alternate certification developed under this section shall be available beginning in the 1997‑98 school year.

Sec. 3. RCW 28A.150.410 and 1990 c 33 s 118 are each amended to read as follows:

(1) The legislature shall establish for each school year in the appropriations act a state-wide salary allocation schedule, for allocation purposes only, to be used to distribute funds for basic education certificated instructional staff salaries under RCW 28A.150.260.

(2) The superintendent of public instruction shall calculate salary allocations for state funded basic education certificated instructional staff by determining the district average salary for basic education instructional staff using the salary allocation schedule established pursuant to this section. However, no district shall receive an allocation based upon an average basic education certificated instructional staff salary which is less than the average of the district's 1986‑87 actual basic education certificated instructional staff salaries, as reported to the superintendent of public instruction prior to June 1, 1987, and the legislature may grant minimum salary increases on that base: PROVIDED, That the superintendent of public instruction may adjust this allocation based upon the education and experience of the district's certificated instructional staff and in accordance with subsection (4) of this section.

(3) Beginning January 1, 1992, no more than ninety college quarter-hour credits received by any employee after the baccalaureate degree may be used to determine compensation allocations under the state salary allocation schedule and LEAP documents referenced in the biennial appropriations act, or any replacement schedules and documents, unless:

(a) The employee has a masters degree; or

(b) The credits were used in generating state salary allocations before January 1, 1992.

(4) In determining state allocations and salaries for individuals participating in the alternate certification program under section 2 of this act, the school district shall consider the individual's education and employment experience, including employment experience in noneducation employment that is relevant to the individual's performance as a teacher.