Original Notice.

     Preproposal statement of inquiry was filed as WSR 07-15-083.

     Title of Rule and Other Identifying Information: WAC 181-82A-207 Specialty endorsement program requirements.

     Hearing Location(s): Radisson Hotel Gateway SeaTac Airport, 18118 International Boulevard, Seattle, WA 98188, on November 7, 2007, at 8:30 a.m.

     Date of Intended Adoption: November 7, 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 November 1, 2007.

     Assistance for Persons with Disabilities: Contact Nasue Nishida by November 1, 2007, TTY (360) 664-3631 or (360) 725-6238.

     Purpose of the Proposal and Its Anticipated Effects, Including Any Changes in Existing Rules: The professional educator standards board (PESB) proposes a specific process for seeking approval from the PESB for offering a specialty endorsement.

     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, Olympia, WA 98504, phone (360) 725-6238, fax (360) 586-4548, e-mail nasue.nishida@k12.wa.us.

October 2, 2007

Nasue Nishida

Policy and Research Analyst

OTS-1093.1

AMENDATORY SECTION(Amending WSR 06-20-063, filed 9/29/06, effective 10/30/06)

WAC 181-82A-207   Specialty endorsement ((program requirements)) criteria.   (1) Specialty endorsements prepare a teacher ((candidate)) to work with a specific student population/demographic and/or subject matter area, and are created to help ((candidates)) teachers specialize beyond the required certificate endorsements as stated in WAC 181-82A-202. Specialty endorsements have unique endorsement competencies not found in any of the existing endorsements.

     (((1) Candidates completing specialty endorsements shall complete the following:

     (a) Complete a college/university teacher specialty endorsement program approved by the professional educator standards board pursuant to chapter 181-78A WAC, which includes methodology (see WAC 181-78A-264(5)) and field experience/internship (see WAC 181-78A-264(6)) and pursuant to endorsement program approval requirements in this chapter; and

     (b) Pass the subject knowledge test for the specialty endorsement approved by the professional educator standards board.

     (2) Out-of-state candidates shall comply with WAC 181-79A-257.

     (3) Course work used to meet specialty endorsement requirements must be completed through a regionally accredited college/university.

     (4) Only course work in which an individual received a grade of C (2.0) or higher or a grade of pass on a pass-fail system of grading shall be counted toward the course work required for the approved specialty endorsement program.))

     (2) Each college or university and/or Washington-based organization/association requesting the creation of a specialty endorsement shall seek a two phase approval by the professional educator standards board.

     (a) Phase one: Proposers shall submit a preapproval proposal to the professional educator standards board that includes the following information:

     (i) Documentation of nationally recognized teaching standards unique to the proposed specialty endorsement;

     (ii) Letter of support from a professional educator standards board-approved college or university interested in offering the proposed specialty endorsement program.

     (b) Phase two: If proposers receive preapproval from the professional educator standards board, they shall submit a phase two application available by the board. The phase two application, not to exceed ten pages, will address the following information:

     (i) A description of the needs, student population and/or subject matter addressed by the proposed specialty endorsement;

     (ii) A description of the unique knowledge and skills the proposed specialty endorsement provides to educators;

     (iii) An explanation of the expected value and benefit of the proposed specialty endorsement for the K-12 system.

     (c) Upon completion of both phases and board approval of a specialty endorsement, the process in WAC 181-82A-206 (2) through (4) shall apply.

[Statutory Authority: RCW 28A.410.210. 06-20-063, § 181-82A-207, filed 9/29/06, effective 10/30/06.]

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