Public school teacher incentive appropriations.

WORKING DRAFT

ORIGINAL SENATE

FILE

NO.
0046

ENROLLED ACT NO. 78, SENATE

FIFTY-EIGHTH LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WYOMING
2005 GENERAL SESSION

AN ACT relating to public school teachers; expanding the Wyoming teacher of the year program as specified; continuing the Wyoming teacher policy institute; enhancing funds available for teacher participation in national certification; funding a teacher advancement or alternative professional development program subject to specified conditions; providing appropriations to the department of education and imposing reporting requirements; and providing for an effective date.

Be It Enacted by the Legislature of the State of Wyoming:

Section 1.

Wyoming Teacher of the Year Program.

(a)

For school year 2005-2006, the department of education shall expand the Wyoming teacher of the year program as follows:

(i)

Establish a teacher of the year award for each school district within the state;

(ii)

Develop a selection process whereby each school district nominates a teacher to participate in the district-wide competition, to be selected by a committee assembled by the department which is comprised of school district teachers, administrators and board members together with business leaders, parents and members of the Wyoming legislature who are residents of the school district;

(iii)

Award each school district teacher of the year selected under paragraph (ii) of this subsection with an incentive payment equal to one thousand dollars ($1,000.00);

(iv)

Provide for the selection of a Wyoming teacher of the year from among all selected school district teachers of the year, to receive an award equal to five thousand dollars ($5,000.00).

(b)

Fifty-three thousand dollars ($53,000.00) is appropriated from the school foundation program account to the department of education to implement subsection (a) of this section and fund program expansion during school year 2005-2006.

Section

2.

Wyoming Teacher Policy Institute.

One hundred thousand dollars ($100,000.00) is appropriated from the school foundation program account to the department of education to fund the Wyoming teacher policy institute in collaboration with the University of Wyoming during school year 2005-2006.

Section 3.

National Teacher Certification Program.

(a)

For school year 2005-2006, one hundred eighty-two thousand dollars ($182,000.00) is appropriated from the school foundation program account to the department of education to supplement amounts available under W.S. 21
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22
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106(a)(iii) to districts for reimbursements to teachers for actual costs of national certification fees as provided under W.S. 21
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501. A charter school operating within the district pursuant to W.S. 21
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301 through 21
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314 and employing teachers otherwise qualifying under W.S. 21
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7
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501 shall be entitled to reimbursements under this section for its teachers. In addition and notwithstanding limits imposed under W.S. 21
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501(a), the department shall in consultation with the Wyoming professional teaching standards board, expend the funds appropriated under this subsection, together with any funds received from private sources, to:

(i)

Increase recruitment of teacher applicants for national certification;

(ii)

Establish a support system for teachers while in the process of obtaining national certification;

(iii)

Provide awards and public recognition for teachers receiving national certification.

(b)

Not later than July 1, 2006, the department of education shall report expenditures of amounts appropriated under this section to the joint education interim committee, and recommend any necessary modification to the national certification program established by W.S. 21
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501.

Section 4.

Teacher Advancement Program.

(a)

Four hundred thousand dollars ($400,000.00) is appropriated from the school foundation program account to the department of education to initiate and pilot teacher advancement programs providing incentives and support for teachers during the 2005-2006 school year. This appropriation may be expended for piloting a professional development program other than the teacher advancement program if the program substantially provides components similar to but not inclusive of those identified in paragraphs (a)(i) through (v) of this section. If an alternative program is selected, the nonstate funds participation requirement shall not apply to expenditure limitations. The department shall establish a qualification and selection process to determine school program participation based upon demonstrated ability to completely and effectively implement the program and the level of teacher and administrator interest. Except as otherwise provided in this subsection, funds appropriated under this section shall not be expended by the department unless supplemented by federal or other nonstate funds. Program components shall provide incentives and support for:

(i)

Multiple career paths providing options to teachers for career advancement with corresponding increases in responsibility, compensation and leadership;

(ii)

Teacher compensation based upon classroom performance and student progress;

(iii)

Performance evaluation and promotion based upon knowledge and ability standards agreed to by teachers;

(iv)

Frequent, regularly scheduled collaborative professional development opportunities for teachers;

(v)

Expanded teacher certification programs and processes made available at alternative entry points.

(b)

On or before July 1, 2006, the department shall report to the joint education interim committee on the expenditure of amounts appropriated under this section and shall provide recommendations to the committee on program continuation.

Section 5.

This act is effective July 1, 2005.

(END)

Speaker of the House

President of the Senate

Governor

TIME APPROVED: _________

DATE APPROVED: _________

I hereby certify that this act originated in the Senate.

Chief Clerk

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