Bill > SB5737

This bill proposes to suspend the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards (NBPTS) certification bonuses for certificated instructional staff for four specific school years: 2025-26, 2026-27, 2027-28, and 2028-29. Currently, teachers who obtain NBPTS certification receive an annual bonus of $5,000, with additional bonuses available for those teaching in high-poverty schools. The bill adds a new provision that effectively eliminates these bonuses during the specified four-year period, despite maintaining the existing language about bonus eligibility for other school years. The bonuses are typically paid as a lump sum and are in addition to a teacher's regular salary schedule. By suspending these bonuses, the bill would temporarily prevent certificated instructional staff from receiving the financial recognition and incentive associated with national board certification, which could potentially impact teacher motivation and professional development efforts during those school years.

Budget and Finance

https://app.leg.wa.gov/billsummary?BillNumber=5737&Year=2025&Initiative=false