Original Notice.

     Preproposal statement of inquiry was filed as WSR 07-04-115.

     Title of Rule and Other Identifying Information: WAC 181-78A-010 Definition of terms, 181-78A-509 Overview -- Educational staff associate -- School counselor/school psychologist/school social worker professional certificate programs, and 181-78A-535 Approval standard -- Program design.

     Hearing Location(s): Red Lion Hotel, Yakima Center, 607 East Yakima Avenue, Yakima, WA 98901, on September 12, 2007, at 8:30 a.m.

     Date of Intended Adoption: September 12, 2007.

     Submit Written Comments to: Nasue Nishida, P.O. Box 47236, Olympia, 98504, e-mail nasue.nishida@k12.wa.us, fax (360) 586-4548, by September 9, 2007.

     Assistance for Persons with Disabilities: Contact Nasue Nishida by September 9, 2007, TTY (360) 664-3631 or (360) 725-6238.

     Purpose of the Proposal and Its Anticipated Effects, Including Any Changes in Existing Rules: ESAs are the final certificated educational group making the transition to the residency/professional system. This requires rule changes to allow for full implementation of the ESA professional certificate programs.

     Statutory Authority for Adoption: RCW 28A.410.210 and 28A.410.010.

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

     Name of Proponent: Professional educator standards board, governmental.

     Name of Agency Personnel Responsible for Drafting, Implementation and Enforcement: Nasue Nishida, P.O. Box 42736 [47236], Olympia, WA 98504, (360) 725-6238.

     No small business economic impact statement has been prepared under chapter 19.85 RCW. The proposed amendment does not have an impact on small business and therefore does not meet the requirements for a statement under RCW 19.85.030 (1) or (2).

     A cost-benefit analysis is required under RCW 34.05.328. A preliminary cost-benefit analysis may be obtained by contacting Nasue Nishida, P.O. Box 47236, phone (360) 725-6238, fax (360) 586-4548, e-mail nasue.nishida@k12.wa.us.

July 20, 2007

Nasue Nishida

Policy and Research Analyst

OTS-9894.1

AMENDATORY SECTION(Amending WSR 06-14-010, filed 6/22/06, effective 7/23/06)

WAC 181-78A-010   Definition of terms.   The following definitions shall be used in this chapter:

     (1) "College or university" means any regionally accredited baccalaureate degree granting Washington institution of higher learning or cooperative group of such institutions which has or develops programs of preparation in education which are submitted to the professional educator standards board for approval.

     (2) "Endorsement" means a specification placed on a certificate to indicate the subject area, grade level, and/or specialization for which the individual is prepared to teach.

     (3) "Interstate compact" means the contractual agreement among several states authorized by RCW 28A.690.010 and 28A.690.020 which facilitates interstate reciprocity.

     (4) "Program approval" means the approval by the professional educator standards board of an educator preparation program within Washington state.

     (5) "Field experience" means a sequence of learning experiences which occur in actual school settings or clinical or laboratory settings. Such learning experiences are related to specific program outcomes and are designed to integrate educational theory, knowledge, and skills in actual practice under the direction of a qualified supervisor.

     (6) "Regionally accredited institution of higher education" means a community college, college, or university which is a candidate for accreditation or is accredited by one of the following regional accrediting bodies:

     (a) Middle States, Association of Colleges and Schools;

     (b) New England Association of Schools and Colleges;

     (c) North Central Association of Colleges and Schools;

     (d) Northwest Association of Schools and of Colleges and Universities;

     (e) Southern Association of Colleges and Schools;

     (f) Western Association of Schools and Colleges: Accrediting Commission for Junior and Senior Colleges.

     (7) "An approved performance-based educator preparation program" means a program that requires the candidate to demonstrate in multiple ways, over time, specific professional educator standards board required standards, criteria, knowledge and skills, including, where appropriate, evidence related to positive impact on student learning.

     (8) "A positive impact on student learning" means that a teacher through instruction and assessment has been able to document students' increased knowledge and/or demonstration of a skill or skills related to the state goals and/or essential academic learning requirements: Provided, That teachers employed by private schools who are candidates for the professional teaching certificate shall document students' increased knowledge and/or demonstration of a skill or skills related to either:

     (a) The state goals or essential academic learning requirements; or

     (b) Such alternative learning goals as the private school has established.

     (9) "Collaboration" (as used in WAC 181-78A-500 through 181-78A-540) means ongoing communication among the professional growth team members using a variety of formats (e.g., conferences, electronic mail, conference calls, etc.) to reach consensus regarding the content - course work, experiences, competencies, knowledges and skills - of the candidate's professional growth plan.

     (10) "Professional growth team."

     (a) Teacher "professional growth team" means a team comprised of the candidate for professional certification, a colleague specified by the candidate, a college or university advisor appointed by the college or university, and a representative from the school district in which the candidate teaches.

     (b) Principal/program administrator "professional growth team," for the purpose of professional certification, means a team comprised of the candidate for the professional certificate, a district representative or designee, a professional association representative, and a college or university advisor. "Professional growth team," for the purpose of renewal of the professional certificate, means a team comprised of the individual renewing the certificate and the superintendent, or superintendent designee or appointed representative.

     (c) School counselor, school psychologist, and school social worker "professional growth team" for the purpose of professional certification, means a team comprised of the candidate for the professional certificate, a college/university ((representative)) program administrator/designee, and a colleague/peer from the same professional role specified by the candidate. A district representative is also required to serve on the professional growth team. Provided that, a candidate may petition the university to have membership of a district representative waived.

     (11) "Individual professional growth plan" means the document which identifies the specific competencies, knowledges, skills and experiences needed to meet the standards set forth in WAC 181-78A-540. The individual professional growth plan shall meet requirements set forth in WAC 181-78A-535 (4)(a).

     (12) "Preassessment seminar" means that component of the approved professional certificate program in which the candidate for a professional certificate, in collaboration with members of his/her professional growth team, identifies specific competencies, knowledges, skills and/or experiences needed to meet standards for the certificate as required by WAC 181-78A-540. The preassessment seminar shall meet requirements set forth in WAC 181-78A-535 (4)(a).

     (13) "Culminating seminar" means that component of the approved professional certificate program in which the candidate for a professional certificate presents his/her final documentation and evidence of professional certificate level knowledge, skill and performance, and positive impact on student learning. The culminating seminar shall meet requirements set forth in WAC 181-78A-535 (4)(e).

[Statutory Authority: RCW 28A.410.210. 06-14-010, § 181-78A-010, filed 6/22/06, effective 7/23/06. 06-02-051, recodified as § 181-78A-010, filed 12/29/05, effective 1/1/06. Statutory Authority: RCW 28A.401.010 [28A.410.010]. 04-21-038, § 180-78A-010, filed 10/15/04, effective 11/15/04. Statutory Authority: RCW 28A.305.130 and 28A.410.010. 02-18-037, § 180-78A-010, filed 8/26/02, effective 9/26/02. Statutory Authority: RCW 28A.410.010 and 28A.305.130 (1) and (2). 01-19-080, § 180-78A-010, filed 9/19/01, effective 10/20/01; 00-03-049, § 180-78A-010, filed 1/14/00, effective 2/14/00. Statutory Authority: RCW 28A.305.130 (1) and (2), 28A.410.010 and 28A.150.220(4). 99-01-174, § 180-78A-010, filed 12/23/98, effective 1/23/99. Statutory Authority: RCW 28A.410.010 and 28A.305.130. 98-01-025, § 180-78A-010, filed 12/8/97, effective 1/8/98. Statutory Authority: RCW 28A.305.130. 97-04-084, § 180-78A-010, filed 2/5/97, effective 3/8/97.]

     (1) The professional certificate requires successful demonstration of the ESA role standards at the professional certificate benchmark levels, or above, and the candidate will need to provide evidence that he/she has had a positive impact on student learning.

     (2) The candidate shall develop an individual professional growth plan to be ((reviewed and agreed upon after input from and consultation with his/her professional growth team)) approved by the professional education advisory board (PEAB) or the professional growth team (PGT). The individual growth plan shall be based on an assessment of the candidate's ability to demonstrate standards at the professional benchmark level and evidence of a positive impact on student learning.

[Statutory Authority: RCW 28A.410.210. 07-04-005, § 181-78A-509, filed 1/24/07, effective 2/24/07; 06-14-010, § 181-78A-509, filed 6/22/06, effective 7/23/06. 06-02-051, recodified as § 181-78A-509, filed 12/29/05, effective 1/1/06. Statutory Authority: RCW 28A.401.010 [28A.410.010]. 04-21-038, § 180-78A-509, filed 10/15/04, effective 11/15/04.]

     (1) Teacher.

     (a) To be eligible to apply for admission to a professional certificate program, a candidate shall hold a contract as a teacher in a public or a professional educator standards board-approved private school or state agency providing educational services for students and shall have completed provisional status with a school district under RCW 28A.405.220 or the equivalent with a professional educator standards board-approved private school or state agency providing educational services for students or the candidate provides to the program a letter from the candidate's employing district, professional educator standards board-approved private school, or state agency providing educational services for students, documenting the employer's support for the candidate's full admission to the professional certificate program: Provided, That a candidate for the professional teacher's certificate may enroll in and complete the preassessment seminar described in subsection (4)(a) of this section prior to admission to a professional certificate program.

     (b) The professional certificate program must be available to all qualified candidates. (([An expedited professional certificate process shall be available for out-of-state teachers who have five or more years of successful teaching experience to demonstrate skills and impact on student learning.]))

     (c) Using the descriptions of practice related to the criteria for the professional certificate, as approved by the professional educator standards board and published by the office of the superintendent of public instruction, which may not be changed without prior professional educator standards board approval, the professional certificate program shall be developed by a college (([or][,])), university (([or educational service district])) and its professional education advisory board. Additional agencies may participate in the development of the program if the college (([or][,])), university (([or educational service district])) and professional education advisory board so choose.

     (d) Each program shall consist of:

     (i) A preassessment seminar which considers input from the candidate's "professional growth team" (WAC 181-78A-505), the candidate's past experience, the context in which he/she teaches, information from past annual evaluations if the individual chooses, the candidate's personal and professional goals, his/her self-evaluation, and evidences of the candidate's impact on student learning.

     The seminar will culminate in preparation and approval of the candidate's individual professional growth plan designed to provide the candidate with the knowledge and skills needed to demonstrate successfully the standards and criteria required by WAC 181-78A-540.

     A representative of the college/university and the candidate shall develop the professional growth plan to be reviewed and agreed upon after input from and consultation and "collaboration" (WAC 181-78A-010(9)) with his/her "professional growth team" (WAC 181-78A-010(10)).

     The individual professional growth plan shall be based on:

     (A) An analysis of the instructional context and teaching assignment(s) to determine strategies which the teacher should use to achieve a positive impact on student learning.

     (B) An assessment of the candidate's ability to demonstrate successfully the professional certificate standards and criteria.

     (C) Specifications of assistance and instructional components needed and any required course work.

     (ii) Course work, past and current experience, inservice, continuing education and other activities directed at developing and verifying that the candidate has achieved acceptable knowledge, skill and performance on all criteria required statewide as essential to "effective teaching" as defined in WAC 181-78A-540(1).

     (iii) Course work, past and current experience, inservice, continuing education and other activities directed at developing and verifying that the candidate has achieved acceptable knowledge, skill and performance on all criteria required statewide as essential to "professional development" as defined in WAC 181-78A-540(2).

     (iv) Course work, past and current experience, inservice, continuing education and other activities directed at developing and verifying that the candidate has achieved acceptable knowledge, skill and performance on all criteria required statewide as essential to professional contributions as defined in WAC 181-78A-540(3).

     (v) A culminating seminar in which the candidate presents his/her final documentation and evidence of professional certificate level knowledge, skill and performance; positive impact on student learning; identification of future goals and professional/career interests; and specification of areas for continuing education and development. The candidate must provide multiple forms of evidence which shall include, but are not limited to, the descriptions of practice related to the criteria for the professional certificate as approved by the professional educator standards board and published by the office of the superintendent of public instruction, which may not be changed without prior professional educator standards board approval.

     (vi) Candidates who do not successfully complete a culminating seminar shall receive an individualized analysis of strengths and weaknesses and a plan for appropriate assistance and instruction.

     (vii) No limits shall be placed on the number of times a candidate with a valid residency certificate may participate in the culminating seminar.

     (2) Principal/program administrator.

     (a) To be eligible to apply for enrollment in a professional certificate program, a candidate shall hold a contract as a principal, assistant principal, or program administrator in a public school or professional educator standards board-approved private school.

     (b) The professional certificate program must be available to all qualified candidates.

     (c) Using the six knowledge and skills standards, and the standards-based benchmarks as approved by the professional educator standards board and published by the office of the superintendent of public instruction, which may not be changed without professional educator standards board approval, the professional certificate program shall be developed by a college or university and its professional education advisory board. Additional agencies may participate in the development of the program if the college or university and professional education advisory board so choose.

     (d) Each program shall consist of:

     (i) An entry seminar during which the professional growth plan shall be developed. The plan shall be based on an assessment of the candidate's ability to demonstrate six standards at the professional certificate benchmark level (WAC 181-78A-270 (2)(b)), performance evaluation data, and an analysis of the administrative context and assignment.

     (ii) Formalized learning opportunities, past and current experience, professional development opportunities, and other activities directed at developing and verifying that the candidate has achieved acceptable knowledge, skill, and performance at the professional certificate benchmark level, or above, on all standards as defined in WAC 181-78A-270 (2)(b).

     (iii) A final presentation to a panel that includes experienced administrators, during which the candidate provides evidence of professional certificate level knowledge, skill and performance; positive impact on student learning; and a professional growth plan that includes the identification of future goals and professional/career interests as well as a five-year plan for professional development designed to meet the requirements for certificate renewal.

     (e) Candidates who do not successfully complete a final presentation shall receive an individualized analysis of strengths and weaknesses and a plan for assistance, and shall be allowed additional opportunities to present evidence pertaining to benchmarks not previously met.

     (3) Educational staff associate (ESA) - school counselor, school psychologist, school social worker.

     (a) To be eligible for enrollment in a professional certificate program, a candidate shall be employed in his/her ESA role in a public school, a professional educator standards board-approved private school, or state agency providing educational services for students.

     (b) The professional certificate must be available to all qualified candidates.

     (c) Using the knowledge and skills standards in WAC 181-78A-270 (5), (7), and (9), and the standards-based benchmarks as approved by the professional educator standards board and published by the office of the superintendent of public instruction, which may not be changed without professional educator standards board approval, the professional certificate program shall be developed by a college or university and its professional education advisory board. Additional agencies may participate in the development of the program if the college or university and professional education advisory board so choose.

     (d) Each program shall consist of:

     (i) ((A preassessment)) An entry seminar during which the professional growth plan shall be developed. The plan will be agreed upon after input from and consultation with the ESA candidate's professional growth team (WAC 181-78A-010 (10)(c)) or the professional education advisory board (PEAB). The individual's professional growth plan shall be based on an assessment of the candidate's ability to demonstrate the standards at the professional certificate benchmark level in the specific ESA role pursuant to WAC 181-78A-270 (5), (7), or (9).

     (ii) Formalized learning opportunities, and other activities directed at developing and verifying that the candidate has achieved acceptable knowledge, skill, and performance at the professional certificate benchmark level, or above, on all standards in the specific ESA role as defined in WAC 181-78A-270 (5), (7), or (9).

     (iii) A culminating seminar in which the candidate presents his/her final documentation and evidence of professional certificate level knowledge, skill, and performance; positive impact on student learning; and specification of areas for continuing education and development.

     (e) The candidate will present his/her portfolio to the professional education advisory board (PEAB) or the professional growth team (PGT) who will make a recommendation to the university program administrator/designee regarding the extent to which the candidate meets the professional certificate standards.

     (f) Candidates who demonstrate they meet all standards and certification requirements pursuant to WAC 181-79A-150 will be recommended by the university program administrator/designee for the professional certificate.

     (g) Candidates who do not successfully complete a culminating seminar shall receive an individualized analysis of strengths and weaknesses and a plan for assistance.

     (((f))) (h) No limit shall be placed on the number of times a candidate with a valid residency certificate may enroll in the culminating seminar.

[Statutory Authority: RCW 28A.410.210. 07-08-050, § 181-78A-535, filed 3/28/07, effective 4/28/07; 07-04-004, § 181-78A-535, filed 1/24/07, effective 2/24/07; 06-14-010, § 181-78A-535, filed 6/22/06, effective 7/23/06. 06-02-051, recodified as § 181-78A-535, filed 12/29/05, effective 1/1/06. Statutory Authority: RCW 28A.410.010. 05-15-051, § 180-78A-535, filed 7/12/05, effective 8/12/05; 04-21-038, § 180-78A-535, filed 10/15/04, effective 11/15/04. Statutory Authority: RCW 28A.210.160. 03-23-037, § 180-78A-535, filed 11/12/03, effective 12/13/03. Statutory Authority: RCW 28A.410.010. 03-04-024, § 180-78A-535, filed 1/27/03, effective 2/27/03. Statutory Authority: RCW 28A.305.130 and 28A.410.010. 02-18-037, § 180-78A-535, filed 8/26/02, effective 9/26/02. Statutory Authority: RCW 28A.410.010. 01-09-004, § 180-78A-535, filed 4/5/01, effective 5/6/01. Statutory Authority: RCW 28A.410.010, 28A.305.130 (1) and (2). 00-18-062, § 180-78A-535, filed 9/1/00, effective 10/2/00; 00-03-049, § 180-78A-535, filed 1/14/00, effective 2/14/00. Statutory Authority: RCW 28A.305.130 (1) and (2), 28A.410.010 and 28A.150.220(4). 99-01-174, § 180-78A-535, filed 12/23/98, effective 1/23/99.]

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