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SB 5397

Establishing limits on the percentage of courses taught by faculty without tenure track status at community and technical colleges.

2025-2026 Regular Session Introduced by Annette Cleveland and 6 co-sponsors

SB 5397 requires colleges to cap non-tenure-track teaching at 45% of annual courses starting 2030, adopt policy by 2026, and report progress annually to the Legislature.

Public hearing in the Senate Committee on Higher Education & Workforce Development at 1:30 PM.
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Bill Summary · SB 5397

Summary: SB 5397 — Limits on Non-Tenure-Track Instruction at Community and Technical Colleges

Purpose

SB 5397 seeks to restrict the share of courses taught by faculty who do not have tenure track status at Washington’s community and technical colleges. The bill would require colleges to adopt policies limiting non-tenure-track instruction and to report progress annually to the Legislature.

Key Provisions

  • New policy requirement (Sec. 1): By July 1, 2026, each community and technical college must adopt a policy governing the percentage of courses taught by faculty without tenure track status. The policy must ensure that, starting July 1, 2030, no more than 45 percent of courses offered annually are taught by non-tenure-track faculty.
  • Definitions (Sec. 1): “Tenure track status” includes probationary faculty eligible for tenure review or faculty who have been awarded tenure.
  • Reporting obligation (Sec. 2): By July 1, 2028, and annually thereafter, the college board must submit a report to the Legislature detailing steps taken to meet the policy requirement, including the most recent percentage of courses taught by non-tenure-track faculty at each institution and any relevant data. Reports must be compliant with RCW 43.01.036.
  • Jurisdiction: Applies to all community and technical colleges within the state.
  • Effective Dates:
    • Policy adoption deadline: July 1, 2026
    • Cap on non-tenure-track teaching: effective for measuring annual course shares beginning July 1, 2030
    • First required report: July 1, 2028, with annual updates thereafter

Affected Parties

  • Colleges and college boards: Responsible for developing and implementing the policy and for annual reporting.
  • Faculty: Distinction between tenure-track and non-tenure-track (e.g., adjunct or contingent) instructional staff; potential impact on hiring mixes.
  • Students: May experience changes in instructional staffing patterns and course delivery over time.
  • Legislature: Receives annual progress reports detailing percentages and compliance.

Implementation Timeline & Process

  • Introduced: January 21, 2025
  • First reading: January 21, 2025 (referred to the Senate Committee on Higher Education & Workforce Development)
  • Public hearing: February 6, 2025, at 1:30 PM (Committee hearing)
  • By July 1, 2026: Each college must adopt its policy
  • By July 1, 2028: First annual compliance report to Legislature (and annually thereafter)
  • By July 1, 2030: Annual measurement standard in effect at 45% cap

Administrative and Data Considerations

  • Compliance requires consistent measurement of “courses offered annually” and clear accounting of which instructors fall under “non-tenure-track” vs. “tenure track.”
  • Reports must include the latest calculated percentage for each institution and related data to demonstrate progress toward the 45% cap.

Potential Impacts and Considerations

  • May incentivize a shift toward more tenure-track or full-time faculty hires to reduce reliance on non-tenure-track instructors.
  • Could affect course availability, staffing models, and compensation structures for adjunct/contingent faculty.
  • Requires robust data collection and reporting systems across institutions.
  • Provides transparency to lawmakers and the public about campus teaching staffing.

Status

  • Public hearing scheduled in the Senate Committee on Higher Education & Workforce Development at 1:30 PM (as of the latest update).
  • Legislative actions show initial consideration and ongoing review in 2025.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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