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).

Senate Committee on Early Learning & K-12 Education
House Committee on Education

Background: In 2002 the Legislature authorized the Professional Educator Standards Board (PESB) to contract for assessments to determine the basic skills and subject knowledge of teacher certification applicants, with the applicant fee to be paid directly to the contractor.

In 2007 the Legislature directed the PESB to set performance standards and implement a uniform and externally administered professional-level certification assessment based on demonstrated teaching skills. However, the language was not codified and did not amend the section of the law that authorizes the PESB to contract for the assessment and permit the collection of fees by the contractor.

Summary: The exact language that was passed last session is codified. The PESB must implement the uniform and externally administered professional-level certification assessment by January 2010. Additionally, the PESB is authorized to contract for the professional-level certification assessment and permit the collection of fees charged to be paid directly to the contractor.

Votes on Final Passage:

Senate      48   0
House      93   1

Effective: June 12, 2008