Original Notice.

     Preproposal statement of inquiry was filed as WSR 10-11-097.

     Title of Rule and Other Identifying Information: Amends WAC 181-79A-221, provides clarification for professional certification for school counselors and psychologists. Removes initial certification category.

     Hearing Location(s): Inn at Gig Harbor, 3211 56th Street N.W., Gig Harbor, WA 98335, on September 22, 2010, at 8:30 a.m.

     Date of Intended Adoption: September 22, 2010.

     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, 2010.

     Assistance for Persons with Disabilities: Contact David Brenna by September 15, 2010, TTY (360) 664-3631 or (360) 725-6238.

     Purpose of the Proposal and Its Anticipated Effects, Including Any Changes in Existing Rules: Amends rules for educator service associates (ESA) in line with professional certification in the areas of counseling and psychological testing. Removes initial certification from definitions of certificates for ESAs.

     Reasons Supporting Proposal: Stakeholder support.

     Statutory Authority for Adoption: RCW 28A.410.210.

     Statute Being Implemented: RCW 28A.410.270.

     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 12, 2010

David Brenna

Legislative and

Policy Coordinator

OTS-3291.2

AMENDATORY SECTION(Amending WSR 08-12-055, filed 6/2/08, effective 7/3/08)

WAC 181-79A-221   Academic and experience requirements for certification -- School counselors, school psychologists, and school social workers.   Candidates for school counselor, school psychologist and school social worker certification shall complete the following requirements in addition to those set forth in WAC 181-79A-150 and 181-79A-226: ((Provided, That it shall not be necessary for any candidate who holds a master's or doctorate degree to obtain the specified master's degree if the candidate provides satisfactory evidence to the superintendent of public instruction that he or she has completed all course work requirements relevant to the required master's degree and has satisfactorily completed a comprehensive written examination required in such master's degree program:)) Provided, That if any candidate has been awarded a master's degree without a comprehensive ((written)) examination, the candidate, as a condition for certification, shall ((arrange to take such an examination with any accredited college or university and provide the superintendent of public instruction with an affidavit from the chair of the department of such academic field that he or she has successfully completed the above noted comprehensive examination)) take the Praxis II exam administered by ETS.

     (1) School counselor.

     (a) ((Initial.

     (i) The candidate shall have completed all requirements for the master's degree (except special projects or thesis) with a major in counseling.

     (ii) The candidate shall have successfully completed a written comprehensive examination of the knowledge included in the course work for the required master's degree. This examination shall be an examination of a regionally accredited institution of higher education or the National Counselor Examination (NCE) of the National Board of Certified Counselors (NBCC).

     (b))) Residency.

     (i) The candidate shall hold a master's degree with a major in counseling.

     (ii) The candidate shall have successfully completed a ((written)) comprehensive examination of the knowledge included in the course work for the required master's degree. This examination shall be a proctored((, written)) examination of a regionally accredited institution of higher education or the candidate may meet this requirement by receiving a passing score on the Praxis II guidance and counseling examination administered by Educational Testing Service (ETS).

     (((c))) (b) Continuing.

     (i) The candidate shall hold a master's degree with a major in counseling.

     (ii) The candidate shall provide documentation of one hundred eighty days or full-time equivalent or more employment in the respective role with an authorized employer -- i.e., school district, educational service district, state agency, college or university, private school, or private school system -- and at least thirty days of such employment with the same employer.

     (iii) The candidates must demonstrate their respective knowledge((s)) and skills while employed in that role by passing a one-quarter or one-semester college or university course that includes peer review. The college or university shall establish the procedures for the peer review with advice from the respective professional education advisory board.

     (((d))) (c) Professional. The candidate shall have completed an approved professional certificate program, provided, that an individual who holds a school counseling certificate issued by the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards (NBPTS) shall be deemed to have met the requirement for completion of a professional certificate program, in recognition that NBPTS certification is issued only to individuals who have demonstrated highly advanced skills as a school counselor.

     (2) School psychologist.

     (a) ((Initial.

     (i) The candidate shall have completed all requirements for the master's degree (except special projects or thesis) with a major or specialization in school psychology.

     (ii) The candidate shall have successfully completed a written comprehensive examination of the knowledge included in the course work for the required master's degree. This examination shall be an examination from a regionally accredited institution of higher education or the National Certification of School Psychologist (NCSP) examination.

     (b))) Residency.

     (i) The candidate shall hold a master's degree with a major or specialization in school psychology.

     (ii) The candidate shall have successfully completed a ((written)) comprehensive examination of the knowledge included in the course work for the required master's degree. This examination shall be a proctored((, written)) examination of a regionally accredited institution of higher education or the candidate may meet this requirement by receiving a passing score on the Praxis II school psychology examination administered by Educational Testing Service (ETS).

     (((c))) (b) Continuing.

     (i) The candidate shall hold a master's degree with a major or specialization in school psychology.

     (ii) The candidate shall provide documentation of one hundred eighty days or full-time equivalent or more employment in the respective role with an authorized employer -- i.e., school district, educational service district, state agency, college or university, private school, or private school system -- and at least thirty days of such employment with the same employer.

     (iii) The candidates must demonstrate their respective knowledge((s)) and skills while employed in that role by passing a one-quarter or one-semester college or university course that includes peer review. The college or university shall establish the procedures for the peer review with advice from the respective professional education advisory board.

     (((d))) (c) Professional. The candidate shall have completed an approved professional certificate program: Provided, That an individual who holds an NCSP certificate issued by the National Association of School Psychologists (NASP) shall be deemed to have met the requirement for completion of a professional certificate program, in recognition that NCSP certification is issued only to individuals who have demonstrated highly advanced skills as a school psychologist.

     (3) School social worker.

     (a) Initial.

     (i) The candidate shall have completed all requirements for a master's degree in social work except special projects or thesis.

     (ii) The candidate shall have successfully completed a ((written)) comprehensive examination of the knowledge included in the course work for the required master's degree. This examination shall be an examination from a regionally accredited institution of higher education, the social worker examination of the Academy of Certified Social Workers ((or)), the National Teacher Examination -- School Social Worker Specialty Area examination required for certification as a school social worker by the National Association of Social Workers, or the Praxis II school social work examination administered by Educational Testing Service (ETS).

     (b) Residency.

     (i) The candidate shall hold a master's degree in social work.

     (ii) The candidate shall have successfully completed a ((written)) comprehensive examination of the knowledge included in the course work for the required master's degree. This examination shall be a proctored, ((written)) examination of a regionally accredited institution of higher education or the candidate may meet the requirement by receiving a passing score on the Praxis II school social work examination administered by Educational Testing Service (ETS).

     (c) Continuing.

     (i) The candidate shall hold a master's degree in social work.

     (ii) The candidate shall provide documentation of one hundred eighty days or full-time equivalent or more employment in the respective role with an authorized employer -- i.e., school district, educational service district, state agency, college or university, private school, or private school system -- and at least thirty days of such employment with the same employer.

     (iii) The candidates must demonstrate their respective knowledge((s)) and skills while employed in that role(( by passing a one-quarter or one-semester college or university course that includes peer review. The college or university shall establish the procedures for the peer review with advice from the respective professional education advisory board)).

     (d) Professional. The candidate shall have completed an approved professional certificate program.

[Statutory Authority: RCW 28A.410.210. 08-12-055, § 181-79A-221, filed 6/2/08, effective 7/3/08; 06-14-010, § 181-79A-221, filed 6/22/06, effective 7/23/06. 06-02-051, recodified as § 181-79A-221, filed 12/29/05, effective 1/1/06. Statutory Authority: RCW 28A.401.010 [28A.410.010]. 04-21-040, § 180-79A-221, filed 10/15/04, effective 11/15/04. Statutory Authority: RCW 28A.305.130 (1) and (2), 28A.410.010 and 28A.150.220(4). 99-01-174, § 180-79A-221, filed 12/23/98, effective 1/23/99.]

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