News Releases
Office of Governor Gary Locke
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - December 7, 2000
Contact:  Governor's Communications Office, 360-902-4136

Locke announces unprecedented partnership between state and private foundations to fund teacher certification

OLYMPIA - "We're here today to announce an investment in the future of Washington," Gov. Gary Locke remarked today as he announced funding for the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards.

Locke, Superintendent of Public Instruction Terry Bergeson, the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, the Stuart Foundation and Washington Mutual are joining to help teachers across the state become board-certified.

"This unprecedented public/private partnership will help 600 teachers go through the certification process over the next four years," Locke said.

The foundations have committed $1.5 million over 18 months to help subsidize part of the advanced certification process.

"I'm asking the Legislature again this session to approve my proposal to provide a 15 percent pay bonus for certified teachers," Locke added.

"This is great news for students, who benefit from energized and well-prepared teachers," Bergeson said as she joined Locke to make this announcement.

"This investment recognizes that teachers are the most valuable asset to our school system," Kerry Killinger, the President and CEO of Washington Mutual, said when the state and the foundations agreed to partner on this project. "We commend the certification and invite others to strive for the credential."

"We need to keep certified teachers in Washington," Locke said. "If we don't pay our excelling teachers what they deserve, some other state will... and our children will pay the real price."

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