Washington State
House of Representatives
Office of Program Research
BILL
ANALYSIS

Education Committee

HB 2869


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.

Brief Description: Extending the national board for professional teaching standards bonus to certificated principals.

Sponsors: Representatives Liias, Sullivan, Ericks, Williams, Loomis, Simpson, Ormsby, Miloscia, Hasegawa, Roberts and Lantz.

Brief Summary of Bill
  • Allows instructional staff to continue to receive the bonus for certification by the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards if they later become principals during the term of the certification.

Hearing Date: 1/31/08

Staff: Barbara McLain (786-7383).

Background:

The National Board for Professional Teaching Standards (NBPTS) is a national, nonprofit organization that has developed standards for highly accomplished teaching and a voluntary system to certify teachers who meet those standards. There are also NBPTS certificates for librarians and school counselors. The term of a certificate is 10 years and can be renewed.

Since 1999, state funding has been appropriated for a bonus for NBPTS-certified staff. In 2007, the Legislature provided in statute that certificated instructional staff who have attained NBPTS certification will receive a bonus each year they maintain the certification. The bonus is $5,000 in 2007-08 and increases annually by inflation.

As of December 2007, there were 1,803 NBPTS-certified instructional staff in Washington. Principals are certificated administrative, rather than certificated instructional, staff.

Summary of Bill:

Certificated instructional staff who have attained NBPTS certification receive a bonus for each year they are nationally certified, including if they later become certificated principals during the term of the certification.

Appropriation: None.

Fiscal Note: Requested on January 22, 2008.

Effective Date: The bill takes effect 90 days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.