Original Notice.

     Preproposal statement of inquiry was filed as WSR 07-20-115.

     Title of Rule and Other Identifying Information: WAC 181-82A-207 and 181-82A-208, specialty endorsements adding environmental and sustainability education, teacher of the visually impaired, and orientation and mobility teacher (WAC 181-82A-207) and requiring assessment of teacher content knowledge in the specialty area (WAC 181-82A-208).

     Hearing Location(s): The Inn at Gig Harbor, 3211 56th Street N.W., Gig Harbor, WA 98335, on March 18, 2009, at 8:30 a.m.

     Date of Intended Adoption: March 18, 2009.

     Submit Written Comments to: David Brenna, Legislative and Policy Coordinator, P.O. Box 47236, Olympia, WA 98504, e-mail david.brenna@k12.wa.us, fax (360) 586-4548, by March 16, 2009.

     Assistance for Persons with Disabilities: Contact David Brenna by March 16, 2009, TTY (360) 664-3631 or (360) 725-6238.

     Purpose of the Proposal and Its Anticipated Effects, Including Any Changes in Existing Rules: Expands specialty endorsements adding environmental and sustainability education, teacher of the visually impaired, and orientation and mobility teacher to endorsements currently for only teaching deaf students. Includes requirement for assessing content knowledge of applicants.

     Reasons Supporting Proposal: Consistent with state policy and national teacher board certification.

     Statutory Authority for Adoption: RCW 28A.410.210.

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

     Name of Proponent: Professional educators standards board, governmental.

     Name of Agency Personnel Responsible for Drafting, Implementation and Enforcement: David Brenna, P.O. Box 42736, 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 David Brenna, P.O. Box 47236, Olympia, WA 98504, phone (360) 725-6238, fax (360) 586-3631, e-mail david.brenna@k12.wa.us.

January 15, 2009

David Brenna

Legislative and

Policy Coordinator

OTS-2110.1

AMENDATORY SECTION(Amending WSR 07-23-050, filed 11/15/07, effective 12/16/07)

WAC 181-82A-207   Specialty endorsement criteria.   (1) Specialty endorsements prepare a teacher to work with a specific student population/demographic and/or subject matter area, and are created to help 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. Specialty endorsements shall include a means of assessing an applicant's content knowledge in the specialty subject area that shall be assessed and verified through program completion.

     (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 shall apply.

[Statutory Authority: RCW 28A.410.210. 07-23-050, § 181-82A-207, filed 11/15/07, effective 12/16/07; 06-20-063, § 181-82A-207, filed 9/29/06, effective 10/30/06.]

     (1) Deaf education (per RCW 28A.410.225).

     (((1))) (a) This specialty endorsement is required for teachers who will be working almost exclusively with students who are deaf or hard of hearing.

     (((2))) (b) Program ((and test)) requirements are waived and this specialty endorsement granted if a candidate possesses a baccalaureate or master's degree in deaf education from a teacher training program approved by the council on education of the deaf.

     (2) Environmental and sustainability education.

     (3) Teacher of the visually impaired.

     (4) Orientation and mobility teacher.

[Statutory Authority: RCW 28A.410.210. 06-20-063, § 181-82A-208, filed 9/29/06, effective 10/30/06.]

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