WSR 05-08-044

PROPOSED RULES

STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION


[ Filed March 30, 2005, 1:56 p.m. ]

     Original Notice.

     Preproposal statement of inquiry was filed as WSR 04-08-056.

     Title of Rule and Other Identifying Information: WAC 180-85-034 Continuing education credit hours -- Definition -- Professional development system. This is a proposed new section to the Washington Administrative Code.

     Hearing Location(s): Hyak Lodge, Snoqualmie Pass, Washington, on May 11, 2005, at 8:30 a.m.

     Date of Intended Adoption: May 12, 2005.

     Submit Written Comments to: Larry Davis, Executive Director, P.O. Box 47206, Olympia, WA 98504-7206, e-mail ldavis@ospi.wednet.edu, fax (360) 586-2357, by April 27, 2005.

     Assistance for Persons with Disabilities: Contact Laura Moore, Executive Assistant, by April 27, 2005, TTY (360) 664-3631 or (360) 725-6025.

     Purpose of the Proposal and Its Anticipated Effects, Including Any Changes in Existing Rules: This new section in the Washington Administrative Code will allow educators to earn continuing education credit hours (clock hours) through a professional growth plan and use those continuing education credit hours for certification purposes.

     Statutory Authority for Adoption: RCW 28A.410.010.

     Rule is not necessitated by federal law, federal or state court decision.

     Name of Proponent: State Board of Education, governmental.

     Name of Agency Personnel Responsible for Drafting, Implementation and Enforcement: Larry Davis, State Board of Education, Olympia, Washington, (360) 725-6025.

     No small business economic impact statement has been prepared under chapter 19.85 RCW. Not applicable.

     A cost-benefit analysis is not required under RCW 34.05.328. Not applicable.

March 25, 2005

Larry Davis

Executive Director

OTS-7994.1


NEW SECTION
WAC 180-85-034   Continuing education credit hour -- Definition -- Professional development system -- Professional growth plan.   (1) Beginning September 1, 2005, on an optional basis, districts or approved private schools may offer educators the opportunity to earn up to thirty continuing education credit hours in a school year through use of a professional growth plan. Districts/private schools electing to participate must verify as a prerequisite that the following minimum elements of a professional development system are in place:

     (a) A plan that has been approved by the board of directors of the local district or approved private school, describing the use of professional growth plans (for continuing education purposes) and the accompanying support structure which will be made available to participants.

     (i) The support structure must include the establishment of a professional development committee consisting of, at a minimum, an educator and administrator representing the building level and a representative of the district or approved private school.

     (ii) A plan approved by a school district board of directors must include a letter of support from the applicable local educational association.

     (b) A template of an individual professional growth plan, showing how the process described in subsection (3) of this section will be documented, as well as how the plan is tailored to the individual's professional growth needs and aligned with district/school improvement plans.

     (2) The district/private school professional development system may be selectively audited by the superintendent of public instruction for compliance with the provisions of this subsection. Such audit, when conducted, shall include review of the district's/private school's plan and review of random samples of the current year's professional growth planning documents.

     (3) The office of superintendent of public instruction shall publish professional development guidelines on its website to assist districts/private schools to implement this subsection. Such guidelines shall include the following minimum essential elements:

     (a) A needs assessment, including a written reflective analysis.

     (b) A written individual professional growth plan, with input from the educator's supervisor, that is approved by the professional development committee.

     (c) Activities to both implement the plan and gather evidence of its completion.

     (d) Verification of completion, including review of evidence and determination of the number of continuing education credit hours awarded.

     (4) In making its determination, the professional development committee shall not count continuing education credit hours that can be awarded pursuant to WAC 180-85-025 (1) through (4).

     (a) If documentation/evidence presented is determined to be incomplete or insufficient, the professional development committee shall provide feedback on the documentation/evidence presented, citing reasons for the decision.

     (b) An educator may resubmit the completed report/portfolio of evidence and request review of additional documentation and evidence submitted as a result of feedback received from the previous review.

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