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Legislation watch
2017 House Bill 1115: Concerning paraeducators
Introduced by Rep. Steve Bergquist (King) (D) on January 11, 2017
Referred to the House Education Committee on January 11, 2017
Substitute offered in the House on February 9, 2017
Creates the Paraeducator Board with listed members and duties. Requires paraeducators to meet certain minimum employment standards by September 1, 2017. Directs school districts to implement a course of study for paraeducators on the state standards of practice beginning September 1, 2019. Requires development of specialty certificates in special education and English language learner that paraeducators may obtain. Requires teacher and administrator preparation and professional learning programs that describe how to work with paraeducators. Expands scholarship programs for paraeducators.
Referred to the House Appropriations Committee on February 13, 2017
Amendment offered by Rep. Steve Bergquist (King) (D) on March 2, 2017
Replaces a requirement that school districts implement a course of study for paraeducators on the state standards of
practice using 32 hours of state-funded paraeducator professional learning time with a requirement that, subject to funding by the Legislature, school districts provide access to a four day course of
study on the state standards of practice to paraeducators who have not completed the course, either in the district or in another
district within the state.
The amendment passed by voice vote in the House on March 2, 2017
Received in the Senate on March 7, 2017
Referred to the Senate Early Learning & K-12 Education Committee on March 7, 2017
Amendment offered in the Senate on March 28, 2017
Requires the paraeducator board to adopt requirements and policies for an advanced paraeducator certificate and specifies that the certificate allow a paraeducator to assist in highly impacted classrooms, assist in specialized instructional support and instructional technology applications, mentor and coach other paraeducators, and act as a short-term emergency substitute teacher.
Requires the paraeducator board to adopt requirements and policies for subject matter certificates in English language learner and special education.
Requires the paraeducator board to adopt requirements and policies for a general paraeducator certificate, and specifies that to be eligible for the certificate, a paraeducator must complete a four-day fundamental course of study and ten days of general courses on the state paraeducator standards of practice.
Referred to the Senate Ways & Means Committee on March 29, 2017
Referred to the Senate Rules Committee on April 3, 2017
Amendment offered by Sen. Ann Rivers (Vancouver) (R) on April 12, 2017
Extends by one year the date by which paraeducators must meet minimum employment requirements..
The amendment passed by voice vote in the Senate on April 12, 2017
Received in the House on April 17, 2017
House concurred in Senate amendments.
Signed with partial veto by Gov. Jay Inslee on May 8, 2017