2SHB 2870

HOUSE BILL REPORT
2SHB 2870

This analysis was prepared by non-partisan legislative staff for the use of legislative members in their deliberations. This analysis is not a part of the legislation nor does it constitute a statement of legislative intent.

As Passed House:
February 13, 2008

Title: An act relating to professional development for instructional assistants.

Brief Description: Providing opportunities for professional development for instructional assistants.

Sponsors: By House Committee on Appropriations (originally sponsored by Representatives Liias, Sullivan, Ericks, Williams, Loomis, Simpson, Ormsby, Miloscia, Hasegawa, Roberts, Santos, Quall and Nelson).

Majority Report: The substitute bill be substituted therefor and the substitute bill do pass. Signed by 9 members: Representatives Quall, Chair; Barlow, Vice Chair; Priest, Ranking Minority Member; Anderson, Assistant Ranking Minority Member; Haigh, Liias, Roach, Santos and Sullivan.

Majority Report: The second substitute bill be substituted therefor and the second substitute bill do pass and do not pass the substitute bill by Committee on Education. Signed by 32 members: Representatives Sommers, Chair; Dunshee, Vice Chair; Alexander, Ranking Minority Member; Bailey, Assistant Ranking Minority Member; Haler, Assistant Ranking Minority Member; Anderson, Chandler, Cody, Conway, Darneille, Ericks, Fromhold, Grant, Green, Haigh, Hinkle, Hunt, Kagi, Kenney, Kessler, Kretz, Linville, McIntire, Morrell, Pettigrew, Priest, Ross, Schmick, Schual-Berke, Seaquist, Sullivan and Walsh.

Background:

In the 1999-01 biennium, the Legislature consolidated professional development funds from a variety of sources and provided funding specifically for Summer Accountability Institutes (Summer Institutes) to be organized by the Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI). The Summer Institutes are intended to provide school district staff with training in assessment, data analysis, successful teaching models, research on curriculum and instruction, and planning tools to improve instruction.

In recent years, the Summer Institutes have become five-day conferences held at three locations across the state with attendance of 800 to 1,000 teachers and staff at each conference. There is also a three-day January Conference, usually in Spokane. Each conference has strands of presentations focused on a particular theme or target audience. For example, the OSPI was directed to focus at least one institute in 2008 and 2009 specifically on mathematics instruction.

Summary of Second Substitute Bill:

The OSPI, in consultation with various groups representing classified school employees, must develop and offer a training strand through the Summer Institutes and the January Conference that is targeted to classified instructional assistants and designed to help them maximize their effectiveness in improving student achievement.

Effective Date: The bill takes effect 90 days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed. However, the bill is null and void unless funded in the budget.

Staff Summary of Public Testimony: (Education)

(In support) It takes a wide variety of professional educators to provide a quality learning environment. Para-professionals can have tremendous impact and are looking for opportunities to improve their skills. This should cost very little because the Summer Institutes are already funded; the OSPI is simply being asked to develop a training strand for instructional assistants. Both state and federal requirements compel more training for these staff than ever before. There are many organizations representing classified employees, but only one is called out in the legislation. It takes everyone working together to ensure students are learning. Para-professionals provide critical instruction for some of our most challenged students, and we need to ensure they are well trained.

(Opposed) None.

Staff Summary of Public Testimony: (Appropriations)

(In support) The bill will provide help to struggling students and increase student success on the WASL.

(Opposed) None.

Persons Testifying: (Education) Representative Liias, prime sponsor; Wendy Rader-Konofalski, Washington Education Association; Bob Butts, Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction; and Tom Lopp, Public School Employees.