Brief (1)
HB 2801 would establish the "National Board for Professional Teaching Standards Certification Incentive Program." Under the program, a teacher who attains National Board Certification would be issued a Master Teacher's Certificate by the State Board of Education. The Master Teacher's Certificate would be valid for ten years.
A teacher employed by a school district who has attained National Board Certification would be paid an incentive bonus of $1,000. The bonus would be paid each school year for up to ten years, as long as the teacher remains employed by a school district and retains a valid Master Teacher's Certificate. The bonus would be paid by the employing school district, but the school district would be entitled to receive state aid under the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards Certification Incentive Program equal to the amount of any bonuses paid.
Background
HB 2801 is part of the education reform program introduced by Representatives Tanner and Glasscock. According to the sponsors, the bill would provide an incentive for seasoned teachers to improve on their experience by attaining National Board Certification. Currently, there are approximately 30 teachers in Kansas who have received National Board Certification.
A program leading to National Board Certification is offered by Emporia State University. In FY 2000, $65,000 was appropriated to the State Department of Education to pay half of the cost to the teacher ($1,000) to enroll in the program. In addition, $33,000 is available to pay a one-time bonus of $1,000 for each teacher who receives National Board Certification. For FY 2001, the Governor has recommended $39,000 for one-time bonuses for teachers who receive National Board Certification.
The State Department of Education estimates that there will be 30 teachers in Kansas who would qualify for bonuses under HB 2801. The Governor's recommended budget would cover the first-year cost of $1,000 bonuses for these teachers under HB 2801. The sponsors of HB 2801 estimate that the cost of the program after four years would be $270,000, assuming that 80 teachers attain National Board Certification during that period. *Supplemental notes are prepared by the Legislative Research Department and do not express legislative intent. The supplemental note and fiscal note for this bill may be accessed on the Internet at http://www.ink.org/public/legislative/bill_search.html