Legislative Agenda Items Advancing

• The State Senate Education Committee has voted in favor of a bill giving teachers more authority over classroom safety and discipline. The proposal is part of WEAC’s Legislative Agenda. Teachers would have the power to remove dangerous and disruptive students from the classroom under SB 274. Dismissed students would go to the principal for referral to temporary alternative programs. The teacher would have to provide a written explanation for removing the student within 24 hours. The bill now goes to the full Senate.
• The Assembly Education Committee will vote on March 11 on a proposal supported by WEAC’s Legislative Agenda to create a Professional Standards Council for Teachers. Seven teachers testified in favor of the bill at a committee hearing last week.
• Sen. Peggy Rosenzweig has agreed to author WEAC’s Legislative Agenda item creating incentives for teachers to achieve National Board for Professional Teaching Standards certification. The measure calls for $2,000 to cover the cost of achieving certification for successful teachers; and a $2,500 annual bonus for the 10 years a certification is in effect.
• Sen. Bob Jauch has authored a bill requiring a periodic study of the educational capacity of school buildings. The measure is a key component of WEAC’s Legislative Agenda to address aging and inadequate facilities.
• WEAC's Legislative Agenda

Posted February 27, 1998