Legislature Passes Bill to Recruit More Teachers

OLYMPIA, Wash. (AP) — The Senate in Washington has passed a bill that aims to recruit new public school teachers and reduce a teacher shortage in the state.

The Senate unanimously concurred with House amendments to Senate Bill 6455 on Thursday, sending the bill to Gov. Jay Inslee.

The bill would, among a number of measures, allow new alternative ways to become a teacher in the state, create a teacher recruitment program, create grant programs to give teachers financial aid and let some retired teachers be substitutes without changing retirement benefits. The state Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction has reported many principals in the state struggle to fill open teaching positions with qualified people.