FINAL BILL REPORT

HB 2160

C 2 L 11 E2

Synopsis as Enacted

Brief Description: Regarding revised standards and assessments for teacher certification integrating STEM knowledge and skills.

Sponsors: Representatives Maxwell, Dammeier, Springer, Pettigrew, Sullivan, Sells, Orwall, Hansen, Probst, Carlyle, Jinkins, Billig, Lytton and Dahlquist; by request of Governor Gregoire.

House Committee on Education

Background:

Teacher Standards. Standards for teacher certification and certificate renewal are established by the Professional Educator Standards Board (PESB). The standards outline both teaching competencies and subject matter knowledge in 33 endorsement areas. Prospective teachers must pass an assessment of subject matter knowledge for their endorsement area called the Washington Educator Skills Test (WEST-E). The WEST-E tests are aligned both with Washington's teacher standards and the Essential Academic Learning Requirements (EALRs) for students. The PESB is also part of a multi-state consortium developing a performance-based assessment of teaching effectiveness for certification purposes. Certificate renewal requires either continuing education or development of an individual professional growth plan.

Student Standards. Revisions to the EALRs for mathematics were adopted in 2008, and for science in 2009. Accordingly, statewide student assessments are being revised to align with the new EALRs. In addition, the Superintendent of Public Instruction adopted the Common Core standards in reading and mathematics in 2011, which will be phased in over the next several years. The Common Core standards were developed by a consortium of states. A similar multi-state effort is underway to develop Next Generation science standards.

Summary:

The PESB must, as part of its regular review and revision of teacher certification standards, revise the standards for endorsement in elementary education and middle and secondary mathematics and science, as well as any other endorsements related to science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM). Revisions for mathematics must be adopted by September 1, 2013. Revisions related to science must be adopted by September 1, 2014. The revision must include the integration of STEM knowledge and skills and be aligned with the Common Core standards, new state mathematics and science standards and assessments, and the Next Generation science standards. The revised endorsement standards must also include concepts and instructional practices for interdisciplinary connection with engineering and technology.

The PESB must revise the WEST-E assessments to measure the revised endorsement standards and require candidates taking the assessment of teaching effectiveness to demonstrate effective instruction that addresses the revised standards.

The PESB must require continuing education or professional growth plans for certificate renewal by elementary teachers and secondary teachers in STEM-related fields to include a specific focus on integrating STEM instruction.

Votes on Final Passage:

Second Special Session