HOUSE BILL REPORT

ESB 5519

BYSenators Rinehart, Bailey, Murray and Saling

Regarding collaborative projects between higher education institutions, schools, and school districts.

House Committe on Education

Majority Report:  Do pass.  (14)

      Signed by Representatives Brumsickle, Cole, Fuhrman, Holland, Horn, Jones, Phillips, Pruitt, Rasmussen, Rayburn, Schoon, Valle, Walker and K. Wilson.

House Staff:Susan Patrick (786-7111)

Rereferred House Committee on Higher Education

Majority Report:  Do pass.  (13)

      Signed by Representatives Jacobsen, Chair; Spanel, Vice Chair; Van Luven, Ranking Republican Member; Basich, Doty, Fraser, Heavey, Inslee, Jesernig, H. Myers, Prince, Rector and Wood.

House Staff:      Susan Hosch (786-7120)

AS REPORTED BY COMMITTEE ON HIGHER EDUCATION MARCH 30, 1989

BACKGROUND:

In 1987 the Legislature adopted language encouraging the state's school districts and higher education institutions with teacher preparation programs to explore ways to establish cooperative arrangements.  A program to help schools and higher education institutions establish collaborative relationships could provide significant educational benefits to the state and the entire education system.

SUMMARY:

The State Board of Education shall establish a program to promote and encourage collaborative relationships between higher education faculty and common school personnel.  Any higher education institution in the state with a State Board of Education approved professional preparation program for school personnel is eligible to participate in the program.

The program shall be based on "school improvement hour services" provided by higher education faculty to schools or school districts.  Services may be provided during or between school years.  The professional education advisory board of each participating higher education institution must establish priority areas of service emphasis on an annual basis.

Based upon the provision of "school improvement hour services," to be defined in rule by the State Board of Education, the maximum amount of reimbursement that may be distributed to each participating institution through its professional education advisory board is $10,000 per year.

The State Board of Education must adopt rules by June 30, 1990 and beginning no later than January 15, 1992, submit a biennial report to the Legislature on the School Improvement Hour Services Program.

The bill is contingent on funding.

CHANGES PROPOSED BY COMMITTEE ON HIGHER EDUCATION:  None.

Fiscal Note:      Not Requested.

House Committee ‑ Testified For:    (Education) Senator Nita Rinehart and Dr. James Morishima, Acting Dean School of Education.

(Higher Education) None Presented.

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

(Higher Education) None Presented.

House Committee - Testimony For:    (Education) To insure continued improvement in our instruction of children, it is essential that the common school community and higher education community share their interests and knowledge.  There are many examples of projects that have allowed faculty from the schools of education to share their knowledge or gain real life experiences from their contact with classroom teachers in our kindergarten through twelfth grade system.  The excitement and renewed interest that results from such collaborative efforts is a benefit that cannot be replaced. The various teacher training programs are committed to continuing and enlarging these collaborative efforts.

(Higher Education) None Presented.

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

(Higher Education) None Presented.