BILL REQ. #:  S-1248.1 

Read first time 02/09/11.   Referred to Committee on Early Learning & K-12 Education.

     AN ACT Relating to science, technology, engineering, and mathematics instruction; adding a new section to chapter 28A.410 RCW; and providing an expiration date.

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

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 1   A new section is added to chapter 28A.410 RCW to read as follows:
     (1) The quality education council recommended that the legislature should ensure excellence in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM). One of the recommendations is to encourage and support partnerships with the business community to develop and continue innovative STEM programs.
     (2) The office of the superintendent of public instruction shall create a pilot program and identify two school districts in which to implement STEM teacher certification
     (3) School districts may apply to participate in the STEM teacher certificate pilot program. Application shall be in a form developed by the office of the superintendent of public instruction.
     (4)(a) Beginning July 1, 2011, notwithstanding other requirements for eligibility for teacher certification, a certificate may be issued by the superintendent of public instruction to individuals in two pilot school districts in accordance with the principles and requirements of this subsection (4).
     (b) The purpose of the STEM teacher certificate pilot program is to assist school districts in meeting the state's educational goals by giving districts flexibility in recruiting decisions based on shortages or the opportunity to secure the services of unusually talented individuals. Whenever practicable, the legislature encourages the hiring of regularly certificated teachers.
     (c) Pilot school districts must adopt a written policy establishing the process for hiring STEM teachers before they are hired.
     (d) Pilot school districts must maintain records of procedures followed and decisions made pursuant to the policy, and provide those records in the event of an audit.
     (e) STEM teacher certificates may be issued by the superintendent of public instruction upon application by a pilot school district to persons who meet age, good moral character, and personal fitness requirements established in rule, if the following conditions are established in the application:
     (i) The applicant is highly qualified and experienced in the subject matter to be taught or has unusual distinction or exceptional talent;
     (ii) The district has verified that no regularly certificated teachers are available to fill the STEM teacher position;
     (iii) The teacher is hired through the established process for the position;
     (iv) The teacher is hired into a position for which there is a justifiable need to hire a STEM teacher;
     (v) The individual has been determined to be competent for the assignment based on a process established by the district superintendent;
     (vi) The individual is being certificated for a limited assignment and responsibility in a specified STEM program area; and
     (vii) The individual shall receive orientation and be prepared for the specific assignment and will be apprised of any legal liability, the lines of authority, and the duration of the assignment if applicable.
     (f) Within the first sixty working days a STEM teacher is employed by a pilot school district:
     (i) A full-time STEM teacher must complete sixty clock hours (six quarter hours or four semester hours) of coursework in pedagogy and child/adolescent development appropriate to the assigned grade levels as approved by the pilot school district;
     (ii) A part-time STEM teacher must complete an appropriate training plan of coursework in pedagogy and child/adolescent development appropriate to the assigned grade levels as approved by the pilot school district;
     (g) Thereafter, a STEM certificated teacher must complete sixty clock hours (six quarter hours or four semester hours) of coursework every two years in pedagogy and child/adolescent development appropriate to the assigned grade levels as approved by the pilot school district.
     (h) A STEM teacher certificate issued under this section is valid only for the STEM activity or field specified in the certificate. The certificate may be withdrawn upon application by the pilot school district if the conditions in this section are not met or as circumstances merit.
     (5)(a) The professional educator standards board shall review the pilot program and submit a report to the legislature evaluating: (i) The success of the pilot program in assisting school districts to find qualified teachers for STEM programs; (ii) recommendations, if necessary, on how to improve the pilot program; and (iii) recommendations on whether an alternative route program for teacher certification could be adapted or created to provide STEM certification.
     (b) An initial report is due by December 1, 2012, and a final report is due December 1, 2014. The report shall include recommendations to the legislature regarding whether the pilot program should be continued, discontinued, or expanded. If it is recommended that the pilot program be expanded then the report shall include cost estimates to scale the program statewide.
     (6) The superintendent of public instruction may adopt rules establishing reporting, recordkeeping, and accounting requirements necessary to ensure accountability of participants in the pilot program.
     (7) This section expires December 31, 2014.