HOUSE BILL REPORT

SB 5054

BYSenators Rinehart, Bailey and Niemi

Establishing the Washington state minority teacher recruitment program.

House Committe on Education

Majority Report:  Do pass.  (18)

      Signed by Representatives Peery, Chair; G. Fisher, Vice Chair; Betrozoff, Ranking Republican Member; Brumsickle, Cole, Dorn, Fuhrman, Holland, Horn, Jones, P. King, Phillips, Pruitt, Rasmussen, Rayburn, Schoon, Valle and K. Wilson.

House Staff:Susan Patrick (786-7111)

Rereferred House Committee on Appropriations

Majority Report:  Do pass.  (26)

      Signed by Representatives Locke, Chair; Grant, Vice Chair; H. Sommers, Vice Chair; Silver, Ranking Republican Member; Youngsman, Assistant Ranking Republican Member; Belcher, Bowman, Brekke, Dorn, Doty, Ebersole, Ferguson, Hine, Holland, May, McLean, Nealey, Padden, Peery, Rust, Sayan, Spanel, Sprenkle, Valle, Wang and Wineberry.

House Staff:      Janet Peterson (786-7136)

AS PASSED HOUSE APRIL 6, 1989

BACKGROUND:

There has been an underrepresentation of minority groups in the teaching profession in this state.  There has also been a decrease in the number of students entering the teaching profession from certain minority groups.  At the same time the school age population is increasingly composed of minority students.

SUMMARY:

The Washington State Minority Recruitment Program is established.  The State Board of Education shall administer the program.  The State Board is directed to work with other agencies and higher education institutions in the development of this program.

The purpose of the program is to recruit future teachers from the targeted groups of students in the ninth through twelfth grades and adults who have entered other professions.  The program includes encouraging development of academic skills and promoting teaching opportunities for targeted groups.

Fiscal Note:      Available.

House Committee ‑ Testified For:    (Education)  Senator Nita Rinehart; Jack Beal, Associate Dean of the School of Education, University of Washington;  Marie Eaton, Associate Dean, School of Education, Western Washington University; John Parker, The Evergreen State College; Nan Staynshoj; Association of School Personnel Directors; and Ken Watson, Seattle School District.

(Appropriations)  Ken Watson, Seattle School District.

House Committee - Testified Against:      (Education)  None Presented.

(Appropriations)  None Presented.

House Committee - Testimony For:    (Education)  Presently there is a shortage of minority teachers in our teacher training institutions and in classrooms in our schools.  This is at the same time we are experiencing a significant growth in the number of minority students.  Districts have attempted to attract adults interested in career change and minority students at the high school level.  This program will help districts to strengthen their efforts to attract minority teacher candidates.

(Appropriations)  Role models are very important for minority students.  School districts need to work harder to compete with industry in recruitment of minorities.  Seattle School District has already begun some local programs aimed at encouraging high school students to prepare for teaching careers.

House Committee - Testimony Against:      (Education)  None Presented.

(Appropriations)  None Presented.