Bill Caption

Relating to improving training and staff development for primary and secondary educators to enable them to more effectively serve all students.

Fiscal Notes

Estimated Two-year Net Impact to General Revenue Related Funds for SB 529, Committee Report 1st House, Substituted: a negative impact of ($332,088) through the biennium ending August 31, 2019, assuming the agency implements the program. The agency is not required to implement the legislation in the absence of an appropriation.

Bill Analysis

The bill would require minimum qualifications to include basic knowledge of each disability category under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, competency with the use of evidence-based inclusive instructional practices, and appropriate adaptation strategies. The bill would require educator preparation programs to use a universal design for learning framework integrating inclusion for all students as a requirement for approval or renewal of approval. The bill would require student achievement of all students, including students with disabilities, to be included as part the accountability indicators for educator preparation programs.

Vote Recommendation Notes

This bill substantially increases the minimum requirements to earn a teaching certificate. It is already a high bar to earn a teaching certificate - adding these qualifications is unnecessary and makes it more difficult for people to enter the teaching profession. This is a clear increase in government regulation on teachers. For this reason we oppose SB 529.