HB 1709 -- National Teacher Certification Incentives

Co-Sponsors:  McClelland, Ostmann

This bill requires the Department of Elementary and Secondary
Education to create a program to encourage teachers to achieve
national board certification.  Beginning July 1, 2001, the
department will pay the certification fee for any teacher
already nationally certified, conditioned on the teacher first
seeking reimbursement through the district in which he or she is
employed.  The department will pay any portion not reimbursed
and will pay one-half of the fee for a candidate for
certification, with the remainder upon completion of
certification.  For school years beginning after a teacher's
national board certification, the department will pay a bonus of
10% of the teacher's salary for any such teacher in an
unaccredited, provisionally accredited, or financially stressed
district and in districts that demonstrate difficulty in
attracting and retaining teachers.  A 5% bonus will be paid to
such teachers in other districts.