CSTP e-News
February 2016
 
Week 7 - Legislative Session
By NBCT Marianne Hunter

Most of this week's excitement was around the supplemental budget proposals released from the House and Senate. 

On Monday, the House released its proposed budget , which would increase beginning teacher basic salaries from $35,000 to $40,000 and provide a $650 bonus for continuing professional certification. It also includes $99 million to recruit and retain K-12 educators. Details of the budget are available here .

On Wednesday, the Senate released its budget proposal . That budget does not address teacher shortage or compensation issues, but returns $6 million to charter schools. Details of the budget are available here .
 
On Monday, the Senate Early Learning and K12 Education committee began hearings on several bills from the House. These included:
  • HB1804 (beginning at 1:41:50), would guarantee the confidentiality of teachers' Professional Growth Plans, which are currently subject to the Public Records Act. Testifying in favor of this bill was a representative from the Professional Educator Standards Board, who said this bill would encourage teachers to be "honest and straightforward about their ambitions and the work they need to do to improve their practice." A representative from Allied Daily Newspapers of Washington testified against the bill, citing an interest in knowing that professional standards are being met.
  • HB2698, (beginning at 39:39) would delay revisions to the school levy lid "cliff." Testifying in favor of the bill were representatives from the Olympia and Franklin Pierce School Districts, who described specific negative impacts that would occur with the loss of levy funding. Also testifying in favor was a representative from the WA Association of School Administrators. In opposition, a spokesperson from Randy Dorn's office testified that passage of this bill would further enable the legislature to avoid fully funding education.
  • HB2023 (beginning at 1:28:56), would move the deadline for notification of contract nonrenewal (RIF notices) from May 15 to June 15. This would allow districts to wait until after the state's operating budget is passed, thus avoiding unnecessary lay-off notifications. Pro testimony was provided by representatives from WEA, the WA Association of School Administrators, and the Spokane Public Schools. No one testified against the bill.
In another hearing on Tuesday, the Senate Early Learning & K12 committee heard testimony on several other bills we've been tracking:
  • HB1867 (beginning at 29:00), would streamline the evaluation process. This bill was presented with bipartisan support from the House. It would allow NBCTs and other teachers who hold Professional Certification, and have received a three or above in their last comprehensive evaluation, to go through the comprehensive evaluation process every six years, rather than four. In providing an introduction to the bill, Representative Bergquist (11th District) noted it would give principals more time to work with new and struggling teachers and would give excellent teachers more opportunities to innovate in the classroom. Representatives from WEA and the Washington Association of School Principals testified in support of the bill.
  • HB1983 (beginning at 49:22), would establish a pilot program to provide financial support for teachers taking certification tests. Representative Pollett (46th District) provided background on the bill, explaining that it originates from input by teacher education colleges and students in those programs. The bill addresses the high costs of required basic skills and content tests. A specific problem with these costs is that students on financial assistance can't afford to take additional endorsement tests in high-need content areas. Representative Pollett said this bill would be "really helpful for one little piece of the teacher shortage response." A representative from the Washington Association of Colleges for Teacher Education testified in favor of this bill.
  • HB2573, (beginning at 52:44) would address the teacher shortage through a variety of interventions. Representative Pollett also provided background on this bill, explaining that the problem stems from declining enrollment in teacher preparation programs. In the last six years, enrollment has dropped over 30% nationwide. Among the provisions in this bill is a program to increase teacher prep enrollment by providing conditional loan forgiveness after five years of teaching. Since 50% of teachers leave the profession within five years, the bill also aims at retention by establishing strong mentoring programs using recently retired teachers. The bill would also strengthen alternative routes to certification and allow retirees to work as substitute teachers. During the hearing (beginning at 1:40:11), pro testimony was provided by representatives from WEA, OSPI, and the League of Education Voters, as well as two rural district superintendents.
Meanwhile, in the House . . .
  • On Monday, the Education Committee held a public hearing that included consideration of SB6291 (beginning at 10:31). This bill would authorize the use of weighted GPAs to recognize advanced coursework such as AP and IB. The bill's prime sponsor, Senator John Braun (20th District) explained it would incentivize students to take challenging courses.
  • On Tuesday, the Education Committee held a public hearing to consider a number of bills from the Senate. One of the major bills we've been tracking is SB6455, (beginning at 48:15) which would expand the educator workforce through a variety of measures, including career opportunities and recruitment. This bill includes a "relaxation" of restrictions on retirees working as substitutes. During the hearing, Education committee chair Sharon Santos questioned the bill's prime sponsor, Senator Bruce Dammeier, on the Senate's "appetite" for increasing the 630 allowable sub hours proposed in the bill. Otherwise, Santos said, it's like "putting a small band-aid on a gaping wound." Senator Dammeier revealed that his own appetite is quite large, and he would be willing to fight for that increase.
  • On Thursday, both the Senate EL&K12 and House Education committees met in Executive Sessions to vote on these, and other, education bills. These sessions will be available for viewing on TVW later today.
  • HB2698 is just one of several bills introduced to address the school levy issue as mandated by the McCleary decision. For more details on the looming "cliff," and its potential impacts, When the (School) Levy Breaks, from the WA State Board of Education's blog, provides a really clear overview.
And, here's an interesting tidbit regarding the McCleary decision. In this KPLU story , Chief Justice Barbara Madsen explains the "once-bitten" nature of the court's ruling on school funding.
 
Have a great weekend!


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Legislative Links:

Legislative Website: Get information on bills, legislators, hearings and more.

Bill Tracker: Track specific bills, read bill reports.

TVW: Watch live and archived legislative proceedings.
Note about 
l egislative updates: 

CSTP relays these legislative updates to provide information on bills, budgets and legislative processes. CSTP doesn't have a legislative agenda, but does track legislative issues most relevant to teaching.