"NEW SECTION.  Sec. 1   The legislature finds that the state has committed to raise the achievement of all children of Washington including children with visual impairments or blindness. The legislature also finds that children with visual impairments and blindness can benefit greatly if they are taught by an educator who is trained to understand the learning, communication, and orientation/mobility issues that blind and visually impaired children encounter. Individuals who receive teacher training in educating the visually impaired and blind acquire strategies to assist students in reacting to and interacting with their environment and reach achievement levels equal to sighted children. The legislature intends to take the first steps to having such an in-state teacher preparation program for teachers of visually impaired and blind students by assessing the needs of the state in this area.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 2   The professional educator standards board shall consider approving out-of-state institutions of higher education for the purposes of establishing a specialty endorsement program. By December 15, 2008, the board shall report to the education committees of the legislature the process used by the board for such consideration and whether the board supports approval of out-of-state institutions of higher education for the purposes of establishing a specialty endorsement program.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 3   (1) As part of the state needs assessment process conducted by the higher education coordinating board in accordance with RCW 28B.76.230, in consultation with interested parties who are knowledgeable about training programs for teachers of visually impaired and blind students and orientation/mobility teachers and the professional educator standards board, the board shall assess the need for baccalaureate and/or postgraduate degree programs in Washington that specialize in teacher preparation programs for teachers of visually impaired and blind students and orientation/mobility teachers in Washington's preschools, and elementary, middle, and high schools. If the board determines that there is a need for one or more programs in Washington, then the board shall encourage the appropriate institutions of higher education or institutional sectors to create such a program or programs.
     (2) By November 30, 2008, the board shall report to the legislature on the needs assessment. The report shall also include a recommendation on the appropriate level of one-time or start-up funding to support the educator preparation program for teachers of visually impaired and blind students and orientation/mobility teachers in Washington's preschools and elementary, middle, and high schools. Additionally, the report shall indicate which institutions or institutional sectors demonstrate an interest or could be successful in building and sustaining a high quality program, including which institutions:
     (a) Demonstrate the capacity to make a long-term commitment of resources to build and sustain a program; and
     (b) Can readily engage faculty appropriately qualified to develop and deliver a high quality curriculum at the baccalaureate and/or postgraduate level."