BILL REQ. #:  S-5227.1 

Read first time 02/11/08.   Referred to Committee on Early Learning & K-12 Education.

     AN ACT Relating to paraeducator professional development; adding a new section to chapter 28A.400 RCW; and creating a new section.

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

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 1   (1) The legislature finds:
     (a) The office of the superintendent of public instruction recognizes the accomplishments of classroom paraeducators to attain professional growth development standards in order to increase students' learning achievement; and
     (b) There is a growing need to provide support for regular education students who have been identified as not meeting state academic standards. Highly trained paraeducators can have a significant impact on those students who fall short of grade level standards but do not meet the criteria to qualify for special education or Title I resources. Increasing the knowledge and skills of paraeducators will result in students reaching their highest potential.
     (2) The purpose of this act is to develop a program for paraeducators to increase their knowledge of learning disabilities, addressing different learning styles, teaching strategies, and decoding skills, which will result in a positive impact on student achievement. The incentive provided by this act for paraeducators to pursue high quality professional development opportunities will result in providing assistance to students' learning needs and effectively help students meet challenging academic standards.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 2   A new section is added to chapter 28A.400 RCW to read as follows:
     (1) Paraeducators who have met the eligibility requirements and have applied to the office of the superintendent of public instruction for certification shall receive additional compensation as a nonnegotiable state bonus of five hundred dollars or one percent of the annual contracted salary amount, whichever is greater.
     (2) The superintendent of public instruction shall adopt rules establishing paraeducator certification requirements. Certification shall be for five-year periods.
     (3) In order to maintain paraeducator certification, a certificated paraeducator must enroll in additional professional development courses offered by the office of the superintendent of public instruction's summer institutes and winter conferences, thereby maximizing the effectiveness of providing the resources for students to achieve state standards, and reach their highest possible academic potential.