SENATE BILL REPORT

                   SB 6710

                    As of January 28, 2000

Title:  An act relating to teacher training pilot programs.

Brief Description:  Modifying guidelines for the teacher training pilot program.

Sponsors:  Senators Sheahan, Swecker, Stevens, Rossi, Johnson, Zarelli, Morton, Hochstatter and Roach.

Brief History:

Committee Activity:  Higher Education:  2/2/2000.

SENATE COMMITTEE ON HIGHER EDUCATION

Staff:  Jean Six (786-7423)

Background:  Created by the 1999 Legislature, teacher training pilot grants provided new incentive funding for public educational institutions to assist in developing coordinated, innovative teacher training programs involving high schools, community colleges, and four-year institutions.  The Higher Education Coordinating Board (HECB) administers the program with funding provided in the 1999-01 budget.

Through an RFP process, the HECB selected two proposals for funding: (1) Western Washington University, Everett Community College, Skagit Valley Community College, Whatcom Community College in collaboration with Bellingham, Blaine, Everett, and Sedro Woolley school districts ($149,966); and (2) the University of Washington, Bothell, in collaboration with Cascadia Community College District and Northshore and Lake Washington school districts ($144,698).

The first-year grant funds were made available as soon as the interagency agreements were executed.  Second-year grant funds will be made available as soon as possible after July 1, 2000, upon the institutions' satisfactory completion of first-year progress reports.

Beginning on December 31, 2001, the HECB will present annual written reports on the status of the teacher training pilot program authorized to continue through December 2004.

Summary of Bill:  For any additional proposals that might be funded, the Legislature directs the pilot program to include a uniform core curricula composed of reading, writing, communications, and math combined with an emphasis on the subject in which the prospective teacher intends to teach.  In addition, strong priority in selecting any additional pilot programs that might be funded are given to pilots that include increasingly intensive field training and site-based internships.

Appropriation:  None.

Fiscal Note:  Not requested.

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