SENATE BILL REPORT
SB 5903
As Reported by Senate Committee On:
Early Learning & K-12 Education, January 29, 2024
Title: An act relating to representation in the educator preparation act.
Brief Description: Concerning representation in the educator preparation act.
Sponsors: Senators Wilson, C., Nobles, Frame, Hunt, Trudeau and Wellman; by request of Professional Educator Standards Board.
Brief History:
Committee Activity: Early Learning & K-12 Education: 1/22/24, 1/29/24 [DP, w/oRec].
Brief Summary of Bill
  • Adds an additional member to the Professional Educator Standards Board (PESB), consisting of an undergraduate or a graduate student enrolled in a PESB-approved preparation program in the state.
  • Specifies that the student member of the PESB shall serve a two-year term. 
SENATE COMMITTEE ON EARLY LEARNING & K-12 EDUCATION
Majority Report: Do pass.
Signed by Senators Wellman, Chair; Nobles, Vice Chair; Wilson, C., Vice Chair; Hunt, Mullet and Pedersen.
Minority Report: That it be referred without recommendation.
Signed by Senators Hawkins, Ranking Member; Dozier and McCune.
Staff: Benjamin Omdal (786-7442)
Background:

The Professional Educator Standards Board (PESB) is a statutorily created board tasked with establishing rules for the certification, of teachers, administrators, and educational staff associates, preparation program approval, and other duties as required by law.

 

The PESB consists of 12 members appointed by the Governor to four-year terms, as well as the Superintendent of Public Instruction or the superintendent's designee.  The Governor appoints the chair of the board, who may not serve as the chair for more than four consecutive years.

 

No person may serve as a member of the PESB for more than two consecutive full terms.

 

A majority of the members of the PESB must be active practitioners with the majority classroom based.  Membership must include individuals having one or more of the following:

  • experience in one or more of the education roles for which state preparation program approval is required and certificates issued;
  • experience providing or leading a state-approved teacher or education preparation program;
  • experience providing mentoring and coaching to education professionals or others; and
  • education-related community experience.
Summary of Bill:

The PESB shall consist of 13 members appointed by the Governor, one of which must be a student enrolled in a PESB-approved preparation program in the state.  The student may be an undergraduate or a graduate student, and shall serve a two-year term.
Appropriation: None.
Fiscal Note: Available.
Creates Committee/Commission/Task Force that includes Legislative members: No.
Effective Date: Ninety days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.
Staff Summary of Public Testimony:

PRO: As a Legislature, we recognize that representation is crucial and necessary.  A student member will only strengthen the decision-making of the Board.  The Board recognized that adding a pre-service educator will give the Board a greater pulse of what is occurring in programs.  The addition would be a vital step in adding diversity and representation on the Board.  Adding a candidate will add more depth to the Board and more lived-in experience. Those mostly affected by decisions should have a seat at the table.  Students give a unique and up-to-date perspective of how rules and polices affect candidates.
Persons Testifying: PRO: Senator Claire Wilson, Prime Sponsor; Anna Corinne Huffman, Professional Educator Standards Board; Simone Boe, Washington Education Association; Mrian Mencias.
Persons Signed In To Testify But Not Testifying: No one.