HOUSE BILL REPORT

SHB 1568

BYHouse Committee on Education (originally sponsored by Representatives Todd, Leonard, Crane, Pruitt and Ebersole)

Including school administrators in the excellence in education program.

House Committe on Education

Majority Report:  The substitute bill be substituted therefor and the substitute bill do pass.  (18)

      Signed by Representatives Peery, Chair; Spanel, Vice Chair; Betrozoff, Butterfield, Cole, Cooper, Ebersole, Fuhrman, Holland, Holm, P. King, Rasmussen, Rayburn, Rust, Taylor, Todd, Valle and Walker.

House Staff:Susan Patrick (786-7111)

AS PASSED HOUSE FEBRUARY 8, 1988

BACKGROUND:

In 1986, the Legislature created the Washington Awards for Excellence in Education Program to recognize teachers, principals, superintendents, and school boards across the state for their contribution, leadership, and commitment to education. The teachers and principals could elect to receive a grant of $1,000 or a tuition waiver and stipend of $1,000.  There was no provision to allow the award to be given to school administrators who are not principals or superintendents.

SUMMARY:

The three Washington Awards for Excellence in Education Programs, which are available in each congressional district, may be given to principals or administrators rather than being limited to three principals.

EFFECT OF SENATE AMENDMENT(S):   Provisions are added creating a program to promote collaborative relationships between higher education faculty and the building level faculty and staff in Washington school districts.  The program will allow selected higher education institution faculty to work with a school districts sharing information for school improvement.

Provisions are added allowing the University of Washington to contract directly with the Superintendent of Public Instruction to provide services for up to thirty highly capable students in the Transition and Early Entrance program.  The university would receive the basic education and categorical funds, excluding gifted funds, for three years or through the school year in which the student reaches eighteen years of age.  The money could be used for selection, precollege instruction, advising and related activities to support these students.

A provision is added which waives the requirement for demonstrating basic skills competency by students seeking admission to a professional teacher preparation program for persons who have completed a baccalaureate degree; or graduate degree program; or who have completed two or more years of college level course work, demonstrated competency through college level course work and a written essay, and are over the age of twenty-one.

Fiscal Note:      Not Requested.

House Committee ‑ Testified For:    Kris Van Gorkom, Washington Association of School Administrators; Monica Schmidt, State Board of Education; and Judy Hartmann, Superintendent of Public Instruction.

House Committee - Testified Against:      None Presented.

House Committee - Testimony For:    It is important that we allow recognition of the excellent contributions of the many staff members who take part in the lives of our students and the operation of school districts but may not be as visible to the public as teachers, principals and superintendents.

House Committee - Testimony Against:      None Presented.

VOTE ON FINAL PASSAGE:

      Yeas 98