| Washington State House of Representatives Office of Program Research |
BILL ANALYSIS |
| Education Committee | |
SSB 6726
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: Granting the professional educator standards board ongoing authority to establish professional-level certification assessments and performance standards.
Sponsors: Senate Committee on Early Learning & K-12 Education (originally sponsored by Senators Tom, McAuliffe and Rasmussen).
Brief Summary of Substitute Bill |
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Hearing Date: 2/21/08
Staff: Barbara McLain (786-7383).
Background:
The Professional Educator Standards Board (PESB) is a 20-member board responsible for
establishing requirements for state certification of educators and approving educator preparation
and certification programs. The PESB is authorized to contract for assessments to determine the
basic skills and subject knowledge of teacher certification applicants, with the assessment fee to
be paid by the applicant directly to the contractor.
Within five years of receiving an initial or residency teaching certificate, teachers must enroll in
a program to earn a professional certificate. Professional certification programs are
performance-based and include a pre-assessment seminar, a professional growth team and plan,
and a culminating seminar. The 2007 Legislature directed the PESB, by June 2009, to set
performance standards and to develop, pilot, and implement a uniform and
externally-administered assessment for the professional certificate, based on demonstrated
teaching skills. The PESB was also directed to consider changing professional certification
program requirements such as the culminating seminar.
However, the 2007 language was not codified in statute and did not amend the section of law
that authorizes the PESB to contract for the uniform assessment and permit the collection of
assessment fees by the contractor.
Summary of Bill:
The requirement for the PESB to set performance standards and to develop, pilot, and implement
a uniform and externally-administered assessment for the professional certificate is codified in
statute, along with a direction that the PESB consider changing professional certification
program requirements such as the culminating seminar. The PESB must accomplish these tasks
by January 2010. The PESB is authorized to contract for the assessment. Individuals taking the
assessment pay any fees directly to the contractor.
Appropriation: None.
Fiscal Note: Not requested.
Effective Date: The bill takes effect 90 days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.