BILL REQ. #:  H-4769.1 

Read first time 01/23/08.   Referred to Committee on Education.

     AN ACT Relating to autism awareness instruction for teachers of students with autism; and adding a new section to chapter 28A.155 RCW.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 1   A new section is added to chapter 28A.155 RCW to read as follows:
     (1) The professional educator standards board, in consultation with the office of the superintendent of public instruction, the autism task force, and representatives from state and nonprofit agencies that promote autism awareness and provide programs and services for people with autism, shall develop autism awareness and training policy guidelines for schools to ensure that teachers responsible for autistic children are well-prepared and up-to-date on the most effective methods of teaching children with autism.
     (2) The autism awareness and training policy guidelines shall ensure, but need not be limited to requiring that:
     (a) A candidate for a Washington instructional certificate satisfactorily complete instruction in autism awareness and methods of teaching students with autism at an accredited institution of higher education;
     (b) A person seeking certification through an alternate route, within one year of being employed, satisfactorily complete instruction in autism awareness and methods for teaching students with autism at an accredited institution of higher education; and
     (c) All teachers not subject to (a) or (b) of this subsection be required to pursue instruction in autism awareness and methods for teaching students with autism by the 2010-11 school year as part of the professional development requirement established by the professional educator standards board.
     (3) By September 1, 2008, the professional educator standards board shall develop recommendations for autism awareness instruction and methods of teaching students with autism for all teacher preparation and professional development programs and shall submit the recommendations to the governor and the education committees of the legislature.
     (4) By December 1, 2008, the superintendent of public instruction shall report the policy guidelines to school districts for the districts to use to develop and adopt their policies.
     (5) By April 1, 2009, each school district shall use the guidelines developed under subsection (1) of this section to develop and adopt a school district policy for each school in the district to ensure that teachers are well-prepared and up-to-date on the most effective methods of teaching children with autism.
     (6) Guidelines adopted by school districts under this section shall also apply to classified staff seeking a special education endorsement or certification, or both.