SENATE BILL REPORT

                   SB 6626

              As Reported By Senate Committee On:

                  Education, February 3, 2000

Title:  An act relating to the conditional employment of teachers with lapsed certificates.

Brief Description:  Authorizing the conditional employment of teachers with lapsed certificates.

Sponsors:  Senators Roach, Benton, Swecker, Johnson, Stevens, Zarelli, Honeyford, Morton, Finkbeiner, Hochstatter and Hale.

Brief History:

Committee Activity:  Education:  2/3/2000 [DPS].

SENATE COMMITTEE ON EDUCATION

Majority Report:  That Substitute Senate Bill No. 6626 be substituted therefor, and the substitute bill do pass.

  Signed by Senators McAuliffe, Chair; Eide, Vice Chair; Brown, Finkbeiner, Goings, Hochstatter, Kohl-Welles and Zarelli.

Staff:  Vanessa Power (786-7448)

Background:  The State Board of Education establishes rules determining eligibility for teacher certification in Washington State.  Currently, teachers with lapsed certificates may be eligible to teach as substitutes.  Currently, teachers with lapsed certificates may not be employed as regular teachers without obtaining additional credit hours.

Summary of Substitute Bill:  Individuals with lapsed Washington teaching certificates may be employed by school districts.  Individuals may be hired on a conditional basis and must complete certificate renewal requirements within two years of reemployment.  Teachers with lapsed certificates that were revoked or suspended are not eligible.

Substitute Bill Compared to Original Bill:  The bill is amended to specify that teachers with certificates that were revoked or suspended are not eligible.

Appropriation:  None.

Fiscal Note:  Not requested.

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

Testimony For:  This bill allows individuals to reenter the workforce.  There was testimony expressing the concern that teachers whose certificates were revoked or suspended should not be eligible.  The requirement that teachers must complete renewal requirements will allow individuals to regain proficiency.

Testimony Against:  This bill will create in law a policy that goes against work done by teacher preparation and certification advisory committees to raise standards for teachers.

Testified:  PRO:  Karen Davis, Washington Education Association; Pam Roach, 31^st District State Senator; Ken Kanikeberg, Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction; CON: Patty Martin, State Board of Education.