SB 5596
In CommitteeSenate
Interstate teacher compact
Repealing the interstate teacher mobility compact.
This status may be delayed. See Action History below for the latest updates.
How does a bill become law?
- Introduced: The bill is filed and assigned a number.
- Committee: A subject-matter committee holds hearings, takes public testimony, and decides whether to advance the bill.
- Floor Vote: The full chamber (House or Senate) debates and votes on the bill.
- Opposite Chamber: The bill repeats the committee and floor vote process in the other chamber.
- Governor: The Governor reviews the bill and decides whether to sign or veto it.
- Signed: The bill has been signed into law.
AI Analysis
This bill repeals Washington’s participation in the Interstate Teacher Mobility Compact, ending a multi-state agreement that allowed teachers licensed in other states to more easily obtain Washington teaching credentials. It also updates rules for provisional teachers (those in their first three years) to clarify when their contracts can be nonrenewed, removing a requirement tied to the compact’s training conditions.
- Repeals the Interstate Teacher Mobility Compact (a multi-state agreement allowing teachers licensed in one state to more easily obtain licensure in another).
- Amends RCW 28A.405.220 to clarify rules for 'provisional employees' — teachers in their first three years — including when their contracts can be nonrenewed based on evaluations and training completion.
- Removes a provision that previously blocked renewal of provisional teachers’ contracts if they hadn’t completed specific training (abuse prevention and equity courses) *while under the Interstate Teacher Mobility Compact*.
- Repeals 13 sections of state law (RCW 28A.420.005 through 28A.420.120) that established and governed the Interstate Teacher Mobility Compact in Washington.
- Maintains existing rules for nonrenewal of provisional teachers, including deadlines for notification (by May 15 or June 15 if budget law is delayed), appeal rights, and board review.
Who is affected
- Provisional teachers (new educators in first 3 years) — Teachers who are in their first three years of employment with a Washington school district — they remain subject to a 'provisional' status and potential nonrenewal during that time, with specific rules about evaluations and training requirements.
- School districts and superintendents — School districts and superintendents must follow updated procedures for evaluating and deciding whether to renew contracts of provisional teachers, including specific timelines and documentation requirements.
- Out-of-state teachers seeking licensure in Washington — Teachers who previously relied on the Interstate Teacher Mobility Compact to transfer credentials from another state will no longer be able to use that pathway; they must meet Washington’s standard licensing requirements.
- State education agencies — The Washington Professional Educators Standards Board and Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction lose authority and responsibilities tied to the Interstate Teacher Mobility Compact.
Pro/Con Analysis
Stronger case for concerns
Potential Benefits (3)
Clarifying that teachers with two prior years of Washington experience become provisional only for their first year in a new district reduces job insecurity for mobile in-state educators and supports retention of experienced teachers across districts.
EducationPeopleRef: Sec. 1(1)(a)Removing the compact-specific training requirement simplifies contract renewal decisions for districts and reduces administrative burden, allowing local educators and administrators to focus on evaluation-based performance rather than compliance with a now-defunct interstate framework.
EducationLean peopleRef: Sec. 1(3) (replacing old compact-related nonrenewal rule)Repealing the compact eliminates administrative overhead for OSPI and local districts related to managing compact participation, though the fiscal savings are minimal and unlikely to meaningfully affect district budgets or service delivery.
Local GovernmentRef: Fiscal Impact section
Potential Concerns (4)
Removal of the requirement that provisional teachers complete specific training (abuse prevention and equity courses) before contract renewal weakens accountability for equity-focused professional development, potentially reducing consistency in teacher preparedness to address student safety and inclusion needs.
EducationPeopleRef: Sec. 1(2) (repealed); Sec. 1(3) (new)The revised provisional teacher rules create a two-tiered system: teachers with prior Washington experience gain faster stability, while out-of-state teachers (now unable to use the compact) face longer provisional periods and greater job insecurity, disproportionately affecting newer educators and those from lower-resourced districts with higher turnover.
EducationPeopleRef: Sec. 1(1)(a) and (b)Repealing the Interstate Teacher Mobility Compact eliminates a streamlined pathway for qualified out-of-state teachers to enter Washington classrooms, exacerbating teacher shortages—particularly in high-need subject areas and rural/remote districts—where recruitment challenges are most acute.
EducationPeopleRef: Repeal of RCW 28A.420.005–.120Allowing superintendents to remove teachers from provisional status after one year based solely on top evaluation ratings (without requiring training completion) may incentivize short-term performance over long-term professional growth and equity competencies, potentially undermining systemic improvements in culturally responsive teaching.
EducationPeopleRef: Sec. 1(1)(c)
Who Is Most Affected
Provisional teachers with prior Washington experience gain faster stability; those newly licensed from out-of-state face longer provisional periods and greater uncertainty, especially in high-need areas where recruitment is difficult.
School districts gain flexibility in evaluating provisional teachers but lose access to a streamlined out-of-state hiring pipeline, potentially increasing recruitment costs and time to fill vacancies—especially in rural and high-need subject areas.
Out-of-state teachers must now meet full Washington licensing requirements, adding time, cost, and administrative barriers—disproportionately affecting mid-career educators seeking to relocate or re-enter the profession.
OSPI and the Professional Educators Standards Board lose compact-related authority and staff time, reducing their capacity to support teacher mobility initiatives, though no major structural changes are required.