WSR 09-17-094

PROPOSED RULES

PROFESSIONAL EDUCATOR

STANDARDS BOARD

[ Filed August 17, 2009, 2:50 p.m. ]

     Original Notice.

     Preproposal statement of inquiry was filed as WSR 09-12-077 [09-11-077].

     Title of Rule and Other Identifying Information: Revises WAC 181-79A-030 and 181-79A-206 and new section WAC 181-79A-207. Amends definitions for teacher professional certification. Amends requirements for professional certification for teachers. Add new section with teacher standards and criteria related to certification. Statutory requirement that professional certification for teacher[s] be met through external assessment process.

     Hearing Location(s): Red Lion at the Park, 201 West North River Drive, Spokane, WA 99201, on September 23, 2009, at 8:30 a.m.

     Date of Intended Adoption: September 23, 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 September 15, 2009.

     Assistance for Persons with Disabilities: Contact David Brenna by September 15, 2009, TTY (360) 664-3631 or (360) 725-6238.

     Purpose of the Proposal and Its Anticipated Effects, Including Any Changes in Existing Rules: Amendments and new section attaches requirements for teacher professional certification to candidate participation is external assessment.

     Reasons Supporting Proposal: Legislative requirement in ESHB 2261 (402), 2009.

     Statutory Authority for Adoption: RCW 28A.410.210.

     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: David Brenna, 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 David Brenna, P.O. Box 47236, Olympia, WA 98504, phone (360) 725-6238, fax (360) 586-3631, e-mail david.brenna@k12.wa.us

August 17, 2009

David Brenna

Legislative and

Policy Coordinator

OTS-2629.2


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

WAC 181-79A-030   Definitions.   The following definitions shall apply to terms used in this chapter:

     (1) The terms, "program approval," "endorsement," "interstate compact," "college or university," and "regionally accredited institution of higher education," as defined in WAC 180-78-010 and 181-78A-010 shall apply to the provisions of this chapter.

     (2) "Certificate" means the license issued by the superintendent of public instruction to teachers, administrators, and educational staff associates verifying that the individual has met the requirements set forth in this chapter.

     (3) "Certificate renewal" means the process whereby the validity of a certificate, subject to expiration, is extended or regained.

     (4) "Classroom teaching" means instructing pupils in an instructional setting.

     (5) "Approved baccalaureate degree" for the purpose of this chapter, means a baccalaureate from a regionally accredited college or university in any of the subject areas of the endorsement listed in chapter 181-82 WAC as now or hereafter amended: Provided, That if a candidate is accepted into a program in Washington state on or before August 31, 2000, and completes the program on or before August 31, 2003, in accordance with WAC 181-79A-299, the candidate may hold a baccalaureate degree in any of the subject areas of the endorsements listed in WAC 181-79A-302. Such degrees shall require the completion of at least forty-five quarter hours (thirty semester hours) of course work in the subject area: Provided, That a candidate who holds a baccalaureate degree in another academic field will not be required to obtain a second baccalaureate degree if the candidate provides evidence to the superintendent of public instruction that he or she has completed the required forty-five quarter or thirty semester hours of course work in one of the subject areas of the endorsements listed in chapter 181-82 WAC: Provided further, That a candidate who holds a baccalaureate degree in early childhood education, elementary education, or special education will not be required to obtain a second baccalaureate degree if the candidate provides evidence to the superintendent of public instruction that he or she has completed thirty quarter or twenty semester credit hours in one academic field in an approved endorsement area pursuant to WAC 181-82A-202.

     (6) "Issues of abuse course work requirement" means completion of course work or an in-service program on issues of abuse. The content shall discuss the identification of physical, emotional, sexual, and substance abuse, information on the impact of abuse on the behavior and learning abilities of students, discussion of the responsibilities of a teacher to report abuse or provide assistance to students who are victims of abuse, and methods for teaching students about abuse of all types and their prevention.

     (7) "Approved master's degree" for the purpose of this chapter, means a master's or doctorate degree from a regionally accredited college or university.

     (8) "Credit hour(s)" means credit (normally 100 level or above) awarded by a regionally accredited institution of higher education.

     (9) "Previous standards" means a certification system in place prior to a revision in rules that results in changed names and/or validity periods for the certificates issued.

     (10) "Application for certification" means an application for a certificate or endorsement that includes a signed affidavit (as specified in WAC 181-79A-157) by the applicant. Such application shall be considered valid for two years from the date of receipt by the superintendent of public instruction, or its designee.

     (11) Teacher "professional growth team" means a team comprised of the candidate for professional certification, a colleague specified by the candidate, a provider of support to the candidate, if the candidate chooses to employ a support provider, and a representative from the school district or state-approved private, state agency providing education for children in which the candidate teaches or has taught.

     (12) "Individual professional growth plan" means the document which identifies the specific competencies, knowledge, skills and experiences needed to meet the standards set forth in WAC 181-79A-207.

     (13) "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.

     (14) "Professional certificate support provider" means any organization or institution operating training or consulting services as a public entity or private company holding an appropriate business license.

[Statutory Authority: RCW 28A.410.210. 06-14-010, § 181-79A-030, filed 6/22/06, effective 7/23/06. 06-02-051, recodified as § 181-79A-030, filed 12/29/05, effective 1/1/06. Statutory Authority: RCW 28A.410.010. 05-04-055, § 180-79A-030, filed 1/28/05, effective 2/28/05; 04-04-011, § 180-79A-030, filed 1/23/04, effective 2/23/04; 02-04-015, § 180-79A-030, filed 1/24/02, effective 2/24/02. Statutory Authority: RCW 28A.410.010, 28A.305.130 (1) and (2). 01-03-153, § 180-79A-030, filed 1/24/01, effective 2/24/01; 99-23-023, § 180-79A-030, filed 11/9/99, effective 12/10/99. Statutory Authority: RCW 28A.305.130 (1) and (2), 28A.410.010 and 28A.150.220(4). 99-01-174, § 180-79A-030, filed 12/23/98, effective 1/23/99.]


AMENDATORY SECTION(Amending WSR 09-12-129, filed 6/3/09, effective 7/4/09)

WAC 181-79A-206   Academic and experience requirements for certification -- Teachers.   Candidates for teachers' certificates shall complete the following requirements in addition to those set forth in WAC 181-79A-150.

     (1) Initial/residency.

     Candidates for the initial or residency certificate shall hold an approved baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited college or university pursuant to WAC 181-79A-030(5).

     (2) Continuing.

     (a) Candidates who apply for a continuing certificate shall have at least forty-five quarter hours (thirty semester hours) of upper division and/or graduate work completed from a regionally accredited institution of higher education subsequent to the conferral of the baccalaureate degree: Provided, That if the individual is pursuing study in a new subject matter area or specialization, lower division (freshmen or sophomore level) credit hours in that subject area or specialization shall be accepted toward continuing certification upon completion of the requirements for an endorsement in that subject area or specialization.

     (b) Candidates applying for a continuing certificate prior to September 1, 2000, shall have been granted at least two subject area endorsements.

     (c) Candidates who apply for a continuing certificate who have not successfully completed course work or an in-service program on issues of abuse, must complete the abuse course work requirement as defined in WAC 181-79A-030(6).

     (d) Candidates for continuing teachers' certificates shall provide documentation of one hundred eighty days or full-time equivalent or more satisfactory teaching experience with an authorized employer -- i.e., school district, state agency, college or university, private school, or private school system -- and at least thirty days of such employment with the same employer.

     (3) Professional.

     (a) Beginning January 1, 2010 and pursuant to WAC 181-79A-206 (3)(f) candidates for the professional certificate shall have successfully completed a professional educator standards board-approved, professional certificate program, ((pursuant to WAC 181-78A-500 through 181-78A-540:)) or submit to the external portfolio of evidence assessment as directed by RCW 28A.410.220(2). The professional certificate requires successful demonstration of the three standards (effective teaching, professional development, and professional contributions) and twelve criteria, pursuant to WAC 181-79A-207.

     (i) ((Provided, That an)) Individuals who hold((s)) a teaching certificate issued by the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards (NBPTS) shall be deemed to have met the requirement ((for completion of a))s of the professional certificate ((program)), in recognition that NBPTS certification is issued only to individuals who have demonstrated highly advanced skills as a teacher.

     (ii) A candidate may submit a portfolio of evidence to the external assessment for evaluation as per RCW 28A.410.220(2) following two years of successful teaching in a state-approved public, private or state operated education program for children as defined in Title 28A RCW: Provided, the candidate was employed at least three-quarters time each year or a total of one and one-half full-time equivalent over a minimum of two years as defined in WAC 392-121-212. The portfolio assessment elements shall be determined by the professional educator standards board and include requirements for the candidates to prepare and submit a professional growth plan approved and supported by a professional growth team.

     (b) A professional growth plan identifying the specific competencies, knowledge, skills and experiences needed to meet the standards set forth in WAC 181-79A-207 is prepared by the candidate for a professional certificate, in collaboration with members of the professional growth team. The candidate will identify a professional growth team as defined in WAC 181-79A-030(11).

     (((b) Candidates who apply for a professional certificate who have not successfully completed course work or an in-service program on issues of abuse, must complete the abuse course work requirement as defined in WAC 181-79A-030(6).))

     (c) Teacher professional certificate portfolio evidence of assessment pilot participants who have not attended a program but received a "met criteria" on all entries submitted to the pilot assessment would receive the professional certificate and not be required to attend a program.

     (d) Candidates who apply for a professional certificate who have not successfully completed course work or an in-service program on issues of abuse, must complete the abuse course work requirement as defined in WAC 181-79A-030(6).

     (((d))) (e) Prior to January 1, 2010, candidates pursuing the professional certificate will submit a portfolio to the professional educator standards board approved professional certificate program.

     (((e))) (f) Between January 1, 2010, and September 1, 2011, candidates pursuing the professional certificate will have two options:

     (i) Submit a portfolio for evaluation to the college or university professional certificate program. The college or university has until December 31, 2011, to verify completion.

     (ii) Submit a portfolio for evaluation to the uniform and external portfolio of evidence assessment as administered by the professional educator standards board.

     (((f))) (g) After September 1, 2011, candidates pursuing the professional certificate must submit a portfolio for evaluation to the uniform and external portfolio of evidence assessment as administered by the professional educator standards board.

[Statutory Authority: RCW 28A.410.210. 09-12-129, § 181-79A-206, filed 6/3/09, effective 7/4/09; 08-16-003, § 181-79A-206, filed 7/23/08, effective 8/23/08; 06-14-010, § 181-79A-206, filed 6/22/06, effective 7/23/06. 06-02-051, recodified as § 181-79A-206, filed 12/29/05, effective 1/1/06. Statutory Authority: RCW 28A.410.010. 04-04-011, § 180-79A-206, filed 1/23/04, effective 2/23/04; 02-14-111, § 180-79A-206, filed 7/2/02, effective 8/2/02. Statutory Authority: RCW 28A.410.010, 28A.305.130 (1) and (2). 01-03-153, § 180-79A-206, filed 1/24/01, effective 2/24/01. Statutory Authority: RCW 28A.410.010. 00-03-048, § 180-79A-206, 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, § 180-79A-206, filed 12/23/98, effective 1/23/99.]


NEW SECTION
WAC 181-79A-207   Standards for teachers with professional certification.   (1) A successful candidate for the teacher professional certificate shall demonstrate:

     (a) The knowledge and skills for effective teaching which ensure student learning by:

     (i) Using instructional strategies that make learning meaningful and show positive impact on student learning;

     (ii) Using a variety of assessment strategies and data to monitor and improve instruction;

     (iii) Using appropriate classroom management principles, processes and practices to foster a safe, positive, student-focused learning environment;

     (iv) Designing and/or adapting challenging curriculum that is based on the diverse needs of each student;

     (v) Demonstrating cultural sensitivity in teaching and in relationships with students, families, and community members;

     (vi) Integrating technology into instruction and assessment; and

     (vii) Informing, involving, and collaborating with families and community members as partners in each student's educational process including using information about student achievement and performance.

     (b) A successful candidate for the professional certificate shall demonstrate the knowledge and skills for professional development by:

     (i) Evaluating the effects of his/her teaching through feedback and reflection;

     (ii) Using professional standards and district criteria to assess professional performance, and plan and implement appropriate growth activities; and

     (iii) Remaining current in subject area(s), theories, practice, research and ethical practice.

     (c) A successful candidate for the professional certificate shall demonstrate professional contributions to the improvement of the school, community, and the profession by:

     (i) Advocating for curriculum, instruction, and learning environments that meet the diverse needs of each student; and

     (ii) Participating collaboratively in school improvement activities and contributing to collegial decision making.

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