HB 2869

HOUSE BILL REPORT
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.

As Reported by House Committee On:
Education
Appropriations

Title: An act relating to bonuses for nationally certified teachers who become principals.

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.

Majority Report: The substitute bill be substituted therefor and the substitute bill do pass. Signed by 8 members: Representatives Quall, Chair; Barlow, Vice Chair; Priest, Ranking Minority Member; Anderson, Assistant Ranking Minority Member; Haigh, Liias, Roach and Sullivan.

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 Substitute 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 and maintain the certification.

Substitute Bill Compared to Original Bill:

It is clarified that individuals with NBPTS certification who become principals are eligible for the bonus as long as they maintain the certification.

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

Staff Summary of Public Testimony:

(In support) It takes the entire education community to educate children. It is important to have highly skilled and talented principals in order to be able to attract good teachers. If these individuals deserved the bonus in recognition of their skills, they should continue to receive it. This will eliminate a disincentive for our best and brightest to seek the principalship. There are no incidents of turning around a failing school without leadership. There is no better way to demonstrate the state's commitment to quality teaching then by recognizing the importance of building leaders.

(Opposed) None.

Persons Testifying: Representative Liias, prime sponsor; Lucinda Young, Washington Education Association; and Jerry Bender and Bary Kipp, Association of Washington School Principals.

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.

Summary of Recommendation of Committee On Appropriations Compared to Recommendation of Committee On Education:

A null and void clause was added, making the bill null and void unless funded in the budget.

Effective Date of Second Substitute Bill: 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:

(In support) The Washington Association of School Business Officials (WASBO) and the Association for Washington School Principals support this legislation. Originally, the WASBO supported the increase of the bonus from $3,500 to $5,000 for nationally certified teachers. This adjustment would allow principals to keep the bonuses they were getting as teachers before becoming principals. Passing this bill will also assist the state in retaining highly qualified teachers and principals.

(Opposed) None.

Persons Testifying: Mitch Denning, Alliance of Educational Association; and Jerry Bender, Association of Washington School Principals.