WSR 18-12-059

PROPOSED RULES

PROFESSIONAL EDUCATOR

STANDARDS BOARD

[Filed May 31, 2018, 11:15 a.m.]

Original Notice.

Preproposal statement of inquiry was filed as WSR 17-08-075.

Title of Rule and Other Identifying Information: Amends WAC 181-78A-005, 181-78A-010, 181-78A-100, 181-78A-105, 181-78A-110, 181-78A-115, 181-78A-120, 181-78A-220, 181-78A-300 and 181-78A-307, to reform the program requirements for state approved teacher preparation in response to technological reporting improvements.

Hearing Location(s): On July 25, 2018, at 8:30, at the Radisson Hotel, 18118 International Boulevard, Seattle, WA 98188.

Date of Intended Adoption: July 25, 2018.

Submit Written Comments to: David Brenna, 600 Washington Street, Olympia, WA 98504, email david.brenna@k12.wa.us, fax 360-586-4548, by July 18, 2018.

Assistance for Persons with Disabilities: Contact David Brenna, phone 360-725-6238, fax 360-586-4548, email david.brenna@k12.wa.us, by July 18, 2018.

Purpose of the Proposal and Its Anticipated Effects, Including Any Changes in Existing Rules: The professional educator standards board (PESB) has spent a number of years reforming the way preparation data reports on candidates, completers and other aspects of preparation. Now that those data systems are in place, the standards for review and approval have become outdated. These changes bring the system up to the new reporting requirements.

Reasons Supporting Proposal: Regulations take into account data reporting to help determine the status of the programs.

Statutory Authority for Adoption: Chapter 28A.410 RCW.

Statute Being Implemented: Chapter 28A.410 RCW.

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

Name of Proponent: PESB, governmental.

Name of Agency Personnel Responsible for Drafting, Implementation, and Enforcement: David Brenna, 600 Washington Street, Olympia, WA 98504, 360-725-6238.

A school district fiscal impact statement is not required under RCW 28A.305.135.

This rule proposal, or portions of the proposal, is exempt from requirements of the Regulatory Fairness Act because the proposal:

Is exempt under RCW 19.85.025(3) as the rules adopt, amend, or repeal a procedure, practice, or requirement relating to agency hearings; or a filing or related process requirement for applying to an agency for a license or permit.

May 31, 2018

David Brenna

Senior Policy Analyst

AMENDATORY SECTION (Amending WSR 11-01-047, filed 12/7/10, effective 1/7/11)

WAC 181-78A-005 Purpose.

((In order to support the successful implementation of Washington's ongoing public school reform and improvement policies, the professional educator standards board is establishing a performance-based preparation system for educators. The intent of the performance-based preparation system is to ensure that educators can demonstrate a positive impact on student learning as the foundation for preparing students to participate effectively in a diverse and democratic society.)) This chapter establishes the procedures, standards, and criteria to be used in the development and approval of preparation programs offered by ((approved)) preparation program((s)) providers in Washington state leading to teacher, administrator, and educational staff associates certification. These rules establish a performance-based preparation system for educators that supports the Improvement of Student Achievement Act of 1993 (ESHB 1209) which will enable educators to implement the Washington state student learning ((goals and essential academic learning)) standards and requirements.

AMENDATORY SECTION (Amending WSR 16-12-026, filed 5/23/16, effective 6/23/16)

WAC 181-78A-010 Definition of terms.

The following definitions shall be used in this chapter:

(1) (("College or university" means any accredited institution as defined in WAC 250-61-050 and as amended by the Washington student achievement council.

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

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

(((5))) (4) "Field experience" means ((a sequence of)) learning experiences ((which occur)) in ((actual)) school ((settings or)), clinical, or laboratory settings. ((Such)) These learning experiences ((are)) must be 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) "Accredited institution of higher education" means a community college, college, or university which is a candidate for accreditation or is accredited by an organization as provided in WAC 250-61-050 and as amended by the Washington student achievement council.

(7) "Accredited institution of higher education," for purposes of credit on salary schedule per RCW 28A.415.024, means an accredited institution of higher education by WAC 250-61-050 and as amended by the Washington student achievement council.

(8) "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.

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

(((10))) (6) "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, knowledge and skills -)) of the candidate's professional growth plan.

(((11) "Professional growth team" for the purpose of professional certification, means a team comprised of the candidate for the professional certificate, a program administrator/designee, and a colleague/peer from the same professional role specified by the candidate.

(12))) (7) "Professional growth plan" means the document which identifies the formalized learning opportunities and professional development activities that relate to the specific competencies, knowledge, skills and experiences needed to meet the standards set forth in WAC 181-79A-207 ((and 181-78A-540.

(13) "Draft professional growth plan" means the document which identifies the specific competencies, knowledge, skills and experiences needed to meet the standards set forth in WAC 181-78A-540.

(14) "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(2))).

(8) "Board" means the professional educator standards board.

(9) "Clinical practice" means a specific, prolonged field experience where the candidate practices or serves in the role for which he or she is being prepared. Clinical practice must take place in an education setting and under the general supervision of a certificated practitioner, with three years' experience in the role for which the candidate is seeking certification.

(10) "Components" means the design features of the program and actions of the provider.

(11) "Domains" means broad categories of educator preparation program providers' performance expectations and outcomes established by the board.

(12) "Educator preparation program" or "program" means all courses, requirements, and other activities leading to a specific educator certification including teaching, administrator, school counselor, or school psychologist certificate and/or teaching certificate endorsement.

(13) "Educator preparation program provider" or "program provider" or "provider" means the entity approved to provide one or more educator preparation programs and responsible for operating the programs in compliance with the board's standards and policies.

(14) "Indicator" means performance data determined by the board that identifies the need for further inquiry into the functioning of a program.

(15) "Internship" means the period of clinical practice for candidates enrolled in approved administrator, school counselor, and school psychologist preparation programs.

(16) "Review period" means the period between annual submissions of indicator performance data when the board may require sponsoring organizations to participate in graduated levels of intervention and reporting.

(17) "Review team" means a group of people with experience, expertise, and training to assess the adequacy of program components and domains.

(18) "Student teaching" means the period of clinical practice for individuals enrolled in teacher preparation programs. This period must include at least four hundred fifty hours of supervised planning, instruction, and reflection.

(19) "Thresholds" means the target level of overall performance, or maximum acceptable variance for indicators approved and published by the board.

AMENDATORY SECTION (Amending WSR 15-12-123, filed 6/3/15, effective 7/4/15)

WAC 181-78A-100 Existing approved programs.

((Chapter 181-78A WAC rules shall govern all policies related to programs upon adoption by the professional educator standards board, which shall provide assistance to programs in the revision of their existing programs.

(1) The professional educator standards board shall determine the schedule for such approval reviews and whether an on-site visit or other forms of documentation and validation shall be used for the purposes of granting approval under program approval standards. In determining the schedule for site visits, the board shall take into consideration the partnership agreement between the state and national accreditation organizations as such agreement relates to the accreditation cycle and allow CAEP accredited programs to follow the CAEP schedule for their review. Non-CAEP accredited programs shall have a review every five years. The professional educator standards board may require more frequent site visits at their discretion pursuant to WAC 181-78A-110(2). The professional educator standards board will not consider requests for site visit delays.

(2) Each institution shall submit its program for review when requested by the professional educator standards board to ensure that the program meets the state's program approval standards as follows:

(a) At least six months prior to a scheduled on-site visit, the institution shall submit an institutional report that provides evidence and narrative, as needed, that addresses how the program approval standards are met for each preparation program undergoing review. Evidence shall include such data and information from the annual data submissions required per WAC 181-78A-255(2) as have been designated by the professional educator standards board as evidence pertinent to the program approval process.

(b) The institutional report shall be reviewed by a team whose membership is composed of:

(i) One member of the professional educator standards board;

(ii) One peer institution representative;

(iii) One individual with assessment expertise;

(iv) Two K-12 practitioners with expertise related to the programs scheduled for review; and

(v) A site team chair who has completed state site chair training.

(c) Substitutions, drawn from (b)(i) through (iv) of this subsection, may be assigned when individuals are not available. Additions to the team shall be drawn from (b)(i) through (iv) of this subsection when necessary. The professional educator standards board liaison for that institution may be present, but shall not serve in an evaluative role. All members, including substitutes, shall be trained.

(d) Team membership may be reduced for regular continuing visits in which fewer than five standards are being reviewed, initial visits, and focus visits. At a minimum, the team must consist of two members of which one must be a member of the professional educator standards board.

(e) Members of a focus visit team shall, at a minimum, be comprised of one member who served on the on-site team and one member of the professional educator standards board.

(f) Members of the site team may be assigned to conduct an audit of a standard. The standard(s) to be audited during a site review will be determined by the professional educator standards board. The audit must be held during the same semester as the site team review. A site team member conducting an audit will not participate in site team meetings, and will not have a vote in site team decision beyond the standard being audited. The process for an audit shall be published by the professional educator standards board.

(g) The review of the off-site team shall identify additional evidence and clarifications that may be needed to provide adequate support for the institutional report.

(h) The report of the off-site team shall be submitted to the institution, which shall provide an addendum to the institutional report no later than five weeks preceding the on-site review.

(i) The on-site visit shall be conducted in compliance with the protocol and process adopted and published by the professional educator standards board. The team shall be comprised of members of the off-site review team whenever possible.

(j) The final site visit report and other appropriate documentation will be submitted to the professional educator standards board.

(k) Institutions may submit a reply to the report within two weeks following receipt of the report. The reply is limited to evidence that the review disregarded state standards, failed to follow state procedures for review, or failed to consider evidence that was available at the time of the review. PESB shall publish the process for submitting and reviewing the institutional reply.

(l) In considering the report, the professional educator standards board may grant approval according to WAC 181-78A-110 and 181-78A-100(1).

(m) Institutions may request a hearing in instances where it disagrees with the professional educator standards board's decision. The hearing will be conducted through the office of administrative hearings by an administrative law judge per chapter 34.05 RCW. The institution seeking a hearing will provide a written request to the professional educator standards board in accordance with WAC 10-08-035.

(3) Institutions seeking Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation, Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Education Programs, and National Association of School Psychologist accreditation may request from the professional educator standards board approval for concurrent site visits which would utilize the same documentation with the exception of material submitted by the institution to the state for the professional education advisory boards and the accountability standards.)) Providers of programs approved by the board shall comply with the review process established in this chapter and published by the board.

(1) Teacher and principal preparation programs: The board will annually review performance data of all educator preparation programs based on components and indicators established in this chapter and published by the board. The professional educator standards board will provide annual updated written guidance to providers regarding the submission of annual program data.

(a) Notification: If annual preparation program data analysis indicates that program performance falls below thresholds during any given review period, the board staff will provide written notification to the educator preparation program provider. The educator preparation program provider may choose to submit a response to the board staff. The response must be received by board staff within four weeks following receipt of the notification by the provider. The response should offer evidence of factors and circumstances that explain why program performance is below board approved thresholds on the indicators identified in the notice. The board staff will offer providers guidance on content and timelines for submission of this optional response. The board will review responses concurrently with annual data analysis reports.

(b) Interventions: Providers with program performance below indicator thresholds are subject to graduated levels of intervention as follows:

(i) Intervention 1 – Required self-study report: If a provider that received written notification of performance below threshold on one or more indicators during the previous review period has performance below thresholds on the same indicator(s) during the subsequent review period, the board will send the provider a second notification. The provider must complete a self-study report related to the components and domain(s) identified in both notifications and submit it to the board. The board will give providers written timelines and guidance for the submission of these materials. In the self-study report, the provider may also submit evidence and a description of the provider's performance related to the indicator(s), components, and domains identified in the notifications. If the board is satisfied with the self-study report, the board will approve it on the consent agenda of the board meeting following submission. If the board is not satisfied with the self-study report, staff will give providers additional written timelines and guidance to address the board's concerns.

(ii) Intervention 2 - Formal review: If a provider demonstrates performance below thresholds for a third successive review period or more, the professional educator standards board will provide a third notification. Based on its discretion and authorized by a vote, the board also may require a formal review related to the provider's performance in the domains of practice identified in the notifications. Prior to commencing a formal review, the board will consider the notifications, responses, and self-study report to determine whether to proceed with or postpone a formal review.

(A) The formal review will incorporate the following elements:

(I) The board shall determine the schedule for formal reviews and whether an on-site visit or other forms of documentation and validation will be used to evaluate programs under program approval standards.

(II) The provider will submit requested evidence to the board staff.

(III) A review team, including at least one member of the board, will review the evidence. The review team may request additional information including information provided through interviews with provider staff or affiliates as needed.

(IV) The review team will provide a report to the board identifying areas of practice associated with the previous notifications where the provider is out of compliance with educator preparation program requirements established in WAC 181-78A-300 and the educator preparation program expectations and outcomes established in WAC 181-78A-220. The review team may also identify areas of practice where the provider is out of compliance with educator preparation program requirements that were not associated with previous notifications but were noticed by the review team during the process of review. The report may also identify whether the approved indicators or thresholds are functioning as intended.

(V) Board staff serving on the review team will provide assistance to the review team during the review process but will not serve in an evaluative role.

(VI) The review team will submit its report and other appropriate documentation to the provider and the board within one year of the board designating the program for formal review.

(VII) The board may extend the length of the one-year period for submission of the review team's report up to two years at its discretion.

(B) Providers may submit a reply to the review team report within two weeks following receipt of the report. The reply is to focus on the evidence, conclusions, and recommendations in the report but also may include additional evidence of factors and circumstances that explain why program performance is persistently below board approved thresholds on the indicators identified in the notice and self-study report. The board shall publish the process for submitting and reviewing the reply.

(C) In considering the review team's report, the board may request additional information or review, or take action to extend, or change the program's approval status per the provisions of WAC 181-78A-110.

(c) A provider may request a hearing in instances where it disagrees with the board's decision to extend or change the program's approval status. This request must be made within twenty days from the decision date. The hearing will be conducted through the office of administrative hearings by an administrative law judge per chapter 34.05 RCW. The provider seeking a hearing will provide a written request to the professional educator standards board in accordance with WAC 10-08-035.

(d) The board will publish a schedule for its review of the domains, components, indicators and thresholds. This review will occur at least every five years and not more frequently than every two years.

(2) Superintendent programs: The board will annually review data related to the performance of all superintendent programs according to data reporting guidance published by the board.

(a) Annual data analysis: After each annual review period, the board will give superintendent program providers written analysis of annual data submission.

(b) Superintendent program review: The professional educator standards board shall determine the schedule for formal reviews and whether an on-site visit or other forms of documentation and validation shall be used for evaluation.

(i) Superintendent program reviews will be conducted at least every five years and not more frequently than every three years.

(ii) Superintendent program providers will submit requested evidence to the staff of the professional educator standards board.

(iii) A review team, including at least one member of the professional educator standards board, will review the evidence and request additional information including information provided through interviews with provider staff or affiliates as needed. One board staff member will serve on the review team to provide assistance to the review team during the review process but will not serve in an evaluative role. Additional members of the review team shall include at least one K-12 practitioner with expertise related to the program scheduled for review and two individuals with expertise related to the domains of practice identified in annual written analyses.

(iv) The two providers with peer representatives on the review team will be scheduled for annual review during the subsequent review period.

(v) At least three months in advance of scheduled review, superintendent program providers must complete a self-study report related to the components and domain(s) identified in the written analyses of annual data submissions. The board will give providers written timelines and guidance for the submission of these materials. In the self-study report, the provider may also provide evidence and a description of the provider's performance related to the indicator(s), components, and domains identified in the notifications. Evidence shall include such data and information from the annual data submissions required per WAC 181-78A-255(2) as have been designated by the board as evidence pertinent to the program approval process.

(c) Following the review, the review team will provide a report identifying any areas where the program is out of compliance with requirements established in WAC 181-78A-300 and the program expectations and outcomes established in WAC 181-78A-220.

(i) The report may also verify or contradict that the approved indicators or thresholds are functioning as intended.

(ii) The board may extend the length of the one-year report period up to two years at its discretion. The review team's report and other appropriate documentation will be submitted to the provider and the board within one year of the board designating the program for formal review.

(iii) Providers may submit a reply to the review team report within two weeks following receipt of the report. The reply is limited to evidence that the review disregarded state standards, failed to follow state procedures for review, or failed to consider evidence that was available at the time of the review. The board shall publish the process for submitting and reviewing the reply.

(iv) In considering the review team's report, the board may request additional information or review, or take action to extend or change the educator preparation program's approval status per the provisions of WAC 181-78A-110.

(d) A provider may request a hearing in instances where it disagrees with the professional educator standards board's decision. This request must be made within twenty days from the decision date. The hearing will be conducted through the office of administrative hearings by an administrative law judge per chapter 34.05 RCW. The provider seeking a hearing will provide a written request to the board in accordance with WAC 10-08-035.

(3) Program administrator programs: The board will annually review data related to the performance of all program administrator programs according to data and reporting guidelines published by the board.

(a) Program administrator programs implemented in conjunction with principal preparation programs will be reviewed concurrently with that provider's principal preparation program.

(b) Program administrator programs implemented in conjunction with superintendent preparation programs will be reviewed concurrently with that provider's superintendent preparation program.

(4) School counseling programs. The board will approve school counseling programs upon receiving notification of the program's approval from the council for the accreditation for counseling and related education programs. School counseling program providers shall comply with accrediting procedures for council for the accreditation for counseling and related education programs.

(a) A provider of residency school counseling programs without approval from council for the accreditation for counseling and related education programs shall provide proof to the professional educator standards board before November 1, 2018, that it will seek such accreditation. The board will place any existing school counseling program that does not receive council for the accreditation for counseling and related education programs accreditation before November 1, 2022, into disapproval status.

(b) The board will place any existing approved residency school counseling program not accredited from the council for the accreditation for counseling and related education programs into disapproval status on November 1, 2022.

(c) Providers of existing residency school counseling programs without accreditation from the council for the accreditation for counseling and related education programs may continue providing courses and field experience that lead to the residency school counselor certificate if the candidates in their programs pass a licensure exam and complete a Master's degree in any area of counseling from a CACREP-accredited program with at least forty-eight semester or seventy-two quarter hours of graduate-level academic credit covering at the minimum the following six content areas:

(i) Appraisal of individuals;

(ii) Group counseling;

(iii) Cultural diversity in counseling;

(iv) Career development;

(v) Fundamentals of school counseling;

(vi) Practicum/internship: Candidates complete a supervised internship in a school based setting that includes a minimum of four hundred hours of on-the-job professional service and one hour per week of individual supervision provided by a mentor.

(5) School psychology programs. Providers of school psychology programs shall comply with accrediting procedures for the National Association for School Psychology. Approval from the professional educator standards board will be based upon the program receiving approval from the National Association for School Psychology.

AMENDATORY SECTION (Amending WSR 12-20-030, filed 9/27/12, effective 10/28/12)

WAC 181-78A-105 Procedures for initial approval of an educator preparation program.

((Each institution or organization)) A prospective provider desiring to establish a preparation program shall comply with the following:

(1) ((Submit a form declaring an intent to offer)) Notification of intent. Prospective providers must submit the appropriate form, published by the professional educator standards board, declaring an intent to apply for approval to offer an educator preparation program or a new educator certification program.

(a) The ((declaration)) notification of intent will be posted on the ((professional educator standards)) board web site as public notice.

(b) The ((program will be contacted to begin the preproposal.

(2) Develop a written plan which addresses all preproposal components published by the professional educator standards board.

(a) Submit such plan to the designated official of the professional educator standards board for review and comment.

(b) After the designated official verifies the preproposal is complete, the preproposal will be brought to the professional educator standards board.

(3) The institution or organization may be granted approval for full proposal development or denied approval of the preproposal)) board will contact the prospective provider to begin the preproposal process.

(2) Preproposal. The prospective provider will develop and submit a preproposal that addresses all requirements approved and published by the board including evidence of necessary capacity, resources, and projected sustainability of the program. After board staff verify the preproposal is complete, the preproposal will be brought to the board.

(3) Final proposal. The prospective provider may be approved to develop a final proposal or the preproposal may be denied.

(a) If denied, the ((institution or organization)) provider may resubmit its ((plan based upon)) preproposal informed by suggestions of the ((professional educator standards)) board.

(b) If the preproposal is approved((, the institution or organization shall comply with the following:

(i) Establish the appropriate professional education advisory board pursuant to WAC 181-78A-205;

(ii) Develop with assistance of the professional education advisory board a written plan which addresses all final proposal components including:

(A) How the professional education advisory board was involved in program development, including a letter of support; and

(B) Letters of support from partner districts and/or agencies.

(iii) Present the written plan to the professional educator standards board.

(4) The program may be approved in a specific location(s) for a period of up to twenty-seven months following the beginning of instruction. The institution or organization shall notify the professional educator standards board when instruction has begun.

If approval is denied, the institution or organization may resubmit its plan based upon the suggestions of the professional educator standards board)) by the board, the prospective provider must develop and submit a written plan which addresses all final proposal elements including domains, components, and other program approval requirements contained in WAC 181-78A-220 and 181-78A-300 as established in this chapter and published by the board, including letters of support from partner districts and/or community agencies as evidence of how the program will meet Washington educator workforce needs.

(c) Final proposals submitted by prospective providers of school counselor preparation programs shall include verification of program approval by the council for the accreditation for counseling and related education programs.

(d) Final proposals submitted by prospective providers of school psychologist programs shall include verification of program approval by the National Association for School Psychology.

(4) After reviewing a prospective provider's final program proposal, the board may approve or deny the program approval:

(a) The program may be approved in a specific location(s) for an initial approval period of up to twenty-seven months following the beginning of instruction. The prospective provider must notify the board when instruction has begun. If initial approval is denied, the prospective provider may resubmit a revised plan informed by suggestions given by the board and its staff.

(b) School counselor and school psychologist programs: Approve the program for a time period to align with their respective national association approvals.

(5) Prior to the expiration of initial approval, staff of the ((professional educator standards)) board shall conduct a site visit to determine if the program is in full compliance ((with the program approval standards; provided that an institution with an approved residency principal program which adds an approved program administrator program is not required to have a site visit of the program administrator program until the next regularly scheduled site visit of that institution)) and performance aligned with the state approval requirements. This includes a review of all applicable indicators and domain components for the type of program.

AMENDATORY SECTION (Amending WSR 13-20-028, filed 9/23/13, effective 10/24/13)

WAC 181-78A-110 ((Length of time for which program approval status shall be granted.)) Approval status for existing programs.

(((1) Existing programs. Based upon review of the program site visit report and other documentation requested, and taking into consideration: The degree to which previously identified issues have been successfully addressed, the relationship and balance between program strengths and weaknesses, and the relative importance of specific unmet criteria to the overall function of the program, the professional educator standards board shall exercise professional judgment in taking one of the following actions:

(a) Limited, approval of up to one year in length. In issuing limited approval, and depending on the nature of evidence that must be considered to regain full approval, the board may specify the requirement of a:

(i) Focused-site visit related to unmet standards and recommendations; or

(ii) Written report, related to unmet standards and recommendations.

(b) Full approval of either:

(i) Five years; or

(ii) Seven years, per provisions of WAC 181-78A-100(6); or

(i) A program with full five- or seven-year approval prior to the site visit shall not receive a disapproval rating, except under the provisions of subsection (3) of this section.

(ii) A program awarded a disapproval rating may request a hearing conducted through the office of administrative hearings under WAC 181-78A-100 (7)(g) and 10-08-035.

(2) New programs. All new programs shall be conditionally approved for up to twenty-seven months under WAC 181-78A-105.

(3) The professional educator standards)) Providers will be notified of their current program approval status after each annual review period. Approval status for all programs will be published on the board web site.

(1) Based upon performance thresholds, formal program review reports, and national accreditation status, as applicable, the board shall take one of the following actions:

(a) Full approval.

(i) Teacher and principal preparation programs: The board shall approve programs that maintain overall performance at or above thresholds on program performance indicators.

(ii) School counseling and school psychology: The board shall approve programs that maintain accreditation from their national accrediting organizations.

(iii) Superintendent programs: The board shall approve programs that meet or exceed the program approval standards and requirements established in this chapter and published by the board.

(iv) Program administrator programs: The board shall approve programs that meet or exceed the program approval standards and requirements established in this chapter and published by the board.

(b) Limited approval.

(i) Teacher and principal: The board may grant limited approval to educator preparation programs with performance below thresholds established by the professional educator standards board for more than three consecutive review periods. Based on the report of the site-based review team, the board may elect to consider these programs "at-risk" for purposes of federal reporting. Programs deemed "at-risk" after subsequent review periods of low performance on established thresholds, and with board consideration of the outcome of the formal review and report submitted per WAC 181-78A-100, may be granted continued limited approval with the designation of "low-performing" for purposes of federal reporting.

(ii) School counseling and school psychology: The board shall give limited approval to programs with limited approval from their national accrediting organizations.

(iii) Superintendent and program administrator: The board shall give limited approval to programs that do not meet approval criteria or national standards after being reviewed and reported on by a review team per WAC 181-78A-100(2).

(iv) The board's staff may provide technical assistance to providers of low-performing preparation programs to help them improve their performance. Technical assistance may include, but is not limited to:

(A) Detailed information on the programs performance relative indicators.

(B) Assistance to address the performance and rigor of programs.

(D) Sharing practices found effective in exemplary programs.

(i) A teacher, principal, superintendent or program administrator program must be in limited approval status for at least one full review period before being considered by the board for disapproval. A provider whose program has been disapproved may request a hearing to be conducted through the office of administrative hearings under WAC 10-08-035.

(ii) Providers of school counseling programs must notify the board if the program loses approval from the council for the accreditation for counseling and related education programs. The board may rescind approval of the program upon receipt of this notification.

(iii) Providers of school psychology programs must notify the board if the program loses approval from the National Association of School Psychologists. The board may rescind approval of the program upon receipt of this notification.

(2) The board, upon receipt of a serious complaint from any source or upon its own initiative prompted by indications of the need for response, may at any time review all or any part of a preparation program for compliance with the provisions of this chapter. If deviations from standards or requirements are found, the ((professional educator standards)) board is authorized to change the program's current approval status, including full disapproval.

AMENDATORY SECTION (Amending WSR 10-23-078, filed 11/15/10, effective 12/16/10)

WAC 181-78A-115 Disapproved programs.

Approved educator preparation programs shall not lose official approval status until the ((professional educator standards)) board has taken final action to disapprove the preparation program pending the provisions under WAC 181-78A-110 (1)(((d)(ii) programs)) (c). Providers shall be permitted to continue to prepare and recommend for certification candidates who have been previously admitted to the program, provided that no recommendations for certifications will be accepted later than thirty months following receipt of the formal notice of disapproval. Following the receipt of formal notice of disapproval, the ((program)) provider shall notify all currently enrolled candidates of the program's disapproval status.

AMENDATORY SECTION (Amending WSR 10-23-078, filed 11/15/10, effective 12/16/10)

WAC 181-78A-120 Procedures for reestablishment of approval status for an educator preparation program.

(((1))) The procedures for the reestablishment of ((professional educator standards)) board approval of a preparation program shall be the same as the procedure for initial approval as provided in WAC 181-78A-105((, except that if the preparation program continues to operate pursuant to the probationary status provision of WAC 181-78A-115, the professional educator standards board may limit the content of the written plan required by WAC 181-78A-105(3) to program standards determined by the professional educator standards board to be the cause of the program's disapproved status.

(2) A disapproved program may submit a compliance agreement for review by the professional educator standards board. If the program submits an acceptable compliance agreement, the program may be granted permission to admit new candidates for a period of time not to exceed twelve calendar months from the date of disapproval. Compliance agreements, not to exceed ten pages, must document the following:

(a) A work plan overview;

(b) A timeline of work that has been and will be performed; and

(c) A matrix that cross references components of the work plan with all unmet standards identified in the site visit report)).

AMENDATORY SECTION (Amending WSR 13-03-155, filed 1/23/13, effective 2/23/13)

WAC 181-78A-220 Program approval standards for approved preparation programs.

((The program approval standards for approved preparation programs for teachers, administrators, and educational staff associates are as follows:

(1) Professional education advisory boards: The institution or organization, in compliance with the provisions of WAC 181-78A-250, has established and maintained a professional education advisory board to participate in and cooperate with the institution or organization on decisions related to the development, implementation, and revision of each preparation program—i.e., teacher, administrator, school counselor, and school psychologist.

(2) Accountability: Each institution or organization, in compliance with the provision of WAC 181-78A-255, has established a performance-based preparation program.

(3) Unit governance and resources: A separate school, department, or other administrative unit within the institution or organization, in compliance with the provision of WAC 181-78A-261, is responsible for providing the resources needed to develop and maintain quality preparation programs.

(4) Program design: Each institution or organization, in compliance with the provision of WAC 181-78A-264, is responsible for establishing a collaboratively developed approved preparation program that is based on a conceptual framework, current research and best practice that reflects the state's learning goals and essential academic learning requirements.

(5) Knowledge and skills: Each institution or organization, in compliance with the provision of WAC 181-78A-270, has established policies requiring all candidates for certification to know and demonstrate the content, pedagogical, and professional knowledge and skills required for the particular certificate and areas of endorsement, which reflect the state's learning goals and essential academic learning requirements, and are necessary to help all students learn.)) The board shall adopt and revise program standards that describe domains of practice, program components, and other expectations for teacher and principal preparation programs to align and maintain currency with recognized national association standards for the specific certificate role. The board will use national standards as guidance for determining domains, components, and indicators used for program review.

(1) General domain outcome expectations for teacher, principal, superintendent, and program administrator preparation programs are as follows:

(a) Candidates and cohorts. Providers recruit, select, and prepare diverse cohorts of candidates with potential to be outstanding educators.

(i) Providers conduct strategic and ongoing outreach to identify, recruit, admit, and transition promising educator candidates.

(ii) Providers of teacher preparation programs use strategies to recruit and prepare a greater number of teacher candidates of color and for Washington state public schools.

(iii) Providers set, publish and uphold admission standards to ensure that candidates and cohorts are academically capable and prepared to succeed in educator preparation programs.

(b) Knowledge, skills and cultural responsiveness. Providers prepare candidates who demonstrate the knowledge, skills and cultural responsiveness required for the particular certificate and areas of endorsement, which reflect the state's approved standards.

(i) Providers demonstrate effective, culturally responsive pedagogy using multiple instructional methods, formats, and assessments.

(ii) Providers ensure that completers demonstrate the necessary subject matter knowledge for success as educators in schools.

(iii) Providers ensure that candidates demonstrate pedagogical knowledge and skill relative to the national standards adopted by the board for the role for which candidates are being prepared.

(iv) Providers ensure that candidates are well prepared to exhibit the knowledge, skills and characteristics of culturally responsive educators.

(v) Providers require candidates to demonstrate knowledge of teacher evaluation research and Washington's evaluation requirements.

(i) Providers prepare candidates who are ready to be effective in their roles upon completion of educator preparation programs.

(ii) Providers prepare candidates to develop reflective, collaborative, professional growth-centered practices through regular evaluation the effects of their teaching through feedback and reflection.

(iii) Providers prepare candidates for their role in directing, supervising, and evaluating paraeducators.

(d) State and local workforce needs. Providers contribute positively to state and local educator workforce needs.

(i) Providers partner with local schools to assess and respond to educator workforce, student learning, and educator professional learning needs.

(ii) Providers use preparation program and workforce data in cooperation with professional educator advisory boards to assess and respond to local and state workforce needs.

(iii) Teacher educator preparation program providers complete and transition increasing numbers of candidates in endorsement areas identified by the professional educator standards board workforce priorities.

(e) Data systems. Providers maintain data systems that are sufficient to direct program decision making, inform state-level priorities, and report to the professional educator standards board.

(i) Providers develop and maintain effective data systems that are sufficient for program growth, evaluation, and mandated reporting.

(ii) Providers utilize secure data practices for storing, monitoring, reporting, and using data for program improvement.

(iii) Providers produce and utilize data reports in accordance with data and reporting guidance published by the professional educator standards board.

(f) Field experience and clinical practice. Providers offer field-based learning experiences and formalized clinical practice experiences for candidates to develop and demonstrate the knowledge and skills needed for their role.

(i) Providers establish and maintain field placement agreements with all school districts in which candidates are placed for field experiences leading to certification or endorsement per WAC 181-78A-125.

(ii) Providers ensure that candidates integrate knowledge and skills developed through field experiences with the content of programs' course work.

(iii) Providers offer field experiences that are in accordance with WAC 181-78A-300 and the board approved candidate assessment requirements.

(iv) Providers ensure that candidates participate in field experiences in school settings with students and teachers who differ from themselves in race, ethnicity, home language, socio-economic status, or local population density.

(g) Program resources and governance. Providers ensure that programs have adequate resources, facilities, and governance structures to enable effective administration and fiscal sustainability.

(i) Providers ensure that programs utilize a separate administrate unit responsible for the composition and organization of the preparation program.

(ii) Providers ensure the program has adequate personnel to promote teaching and learning.

(iii) Providers ensure the program has adequate facilities and resources to promote teaching and learning.

(2) General knowledge and skills standards are as follows:

(a) Teacher: The board adopts the national knowledge and skills competencies most recently published by the council of chief state school officers known as the Interstate Teacher Assessment and Support Consortium Model Core Teaching Standards and Learning Progressions for Teachers.

Endorsement competencies will be aligned with the national standards of each content area/specialized professional organization, when such a national standard is available. Currently approved endorsement standards and competencies will be published on the board web site.

(b) Principal: The board adopts the national knowledge and skills competencies most recently published by the national policy board for educational administration known as the National Educational Leadership Preparation (NELP) Standards - Building Level published in 2018, or as subsequently revised.

(c) Superintendent and program administrator: The board adopts the national knowledge and skills competencies most recently published by the university council of educational administration known as the National Educational Leadership Preparation (NELP) Standards – District Level published in 2018, or as subsequently revised.

AMENDATORY SECTION (Amending WSR 15-08-054, filed 3/27/15, effective 4/27/15)

WAC 181-78A-300 Program requirements for teacher candidates.

(((1) Approved programs for teachers shall)) In addition to the general program standards and expectations established in WAC 181-78A-220, providers shall comply with the following:

(1) Field placement. The board will publish minimum field placement and clinical experience requirements for all roles. Providers must establish and maintain field placement agreements with all Washington school districts in which candidates are placed for field experiences leading to certification or endorsement. Each field placement agreement shall require, but not be limited to:

(a) Fingerprint and character clearance under RCW 28A.410.010 is current at all times during the field experience for candidates who do not hold a valid Washington certificate;

(b) Assurance that programs shall ensure candidates are placed in settings where they can be objectively evaluated;

(c) Specified qualifications of the proposed site supervisor for each site and qualifications of each school's cooperating educator/administrator;

(d) Assurances related to the provision of mentors, including:

(i) Mentors are instructional leaders identified collaboratively with the partner school or district;

(ii) Mentors and principals are provided with a set of internship expectations;

(iii) Mentors receive or provide evidence of training on mentoring of adult learners;

(iv) Mentors must be fully certificated school personnel and have a minimum of three years of professional experience in the role they are supervising.

(e) Providers must describe in writing the duties and responsibilities of site supervisors and mentors and the anticipated length and nature of the field experience;

(f) Teacher preparation programs.

(i) A provider of a teacher education program must administer the teacher performance assessment adopted by the board to all candidates in a residency certificate program.

(ii) Clinical practice for teacher candidates should consist of no less than four hundred fifty hours in classrooms settings.

(g) Administrator preparation programs.

(i) The internship for administrators shall take place in an education setting serving under the general supervision of a certificated practitioner who is performing in the role for which certification is sought.

(ii) A provider of a principal preparation program shall require for those persons beginning their internship August 1, 2016, and after, an internship which requires practice as an intern for five hundred forty hours, of which at least one-half shall be during school hours, when students and/or staff are present, and for the duration of a full school year. A "full school year" shall mean at least the majority of an academic year: Provided further, that a provider of a principal preparation program shall include demonstration by the candidate that she or he has the appropriate, specific skills pursuant to the standards identified in WAC 181-78A-220.

(iii) A provider of a superintendent preparation program shall require an internship of at least three hundred sixty hours.

(2) Assessment requirements for providers of teacher preparation programs.

(a) A provider of a teacher preparation program must assure that all candidates entering the program ((shall)) have successfully passed the WEST B or its alternative or exemptions per chapter 181-01 WAC at the time of admission. The candidate must take and pass the WEST B, or provide evidence of meeting an alternative or exception at the time of admissions. Candidates admitted to a residency teacher preparation program prior to passage of the WEST B or its approved alternative or exemptions must pass the WEST B prior to student teaching. The ((program shall)) provider must collect and hold evidence of candidates meeting this requirement.

(((2) Approved programs, when placing a teacher candidate in the student teaching role with a school district,)) (b) A provider of a teacher preparation program shall assure that the candidate has successfully attempted at least one WEST E or equivalent content assessment test per chapter 181-02 WAC prior to placing a teacher candidate in a student teaching role with a district. The ((program shall)) provider must collect and hold evidence of candidates meeting this requirement.

(((3))) (c) Teacher evaluation. Teacher preparation program providers shall require candidates for a residency certificate to demonstrate knowledge of teacher evaluation research and Washington's evaluation requirements.

(d) Performance assessment. Teacher preparation program providers shall require that each candidate engage in a performance assessment process approved by the board. All candidates shall exit the residency certificate program with a professional growth plan.

(3) Required since time immemorial curriculum integration.

(a) There shall be a one quarter or semester course in either Washington state history and government, or Pacific Northwest history and government in the curriculum of all teacher preparation programs.

(b) No person shall be completed from any of said programs without completing said course of study, unless otherwise determined by the Washington professional educator standards board.

(c) Any course in Washington state or Pacific Northwest history and government used to fulfill the requirement of this section shall include information on the culture, history, and government of the American Indian peoples who were the first human inhabitants of the state and the region.

(d) Teacher preparation program providers shall ensure that programs meet the requirements of this section by integrating the curriculum developed and made available free of charge by the office of the superintendent of curriculum developed and made available free of charge by the office of the superintendent of public instruction into existing programs or courses and may modify that curriculum in order to incorporate elements that have a regionally specific focus.

(4) Principal preparation programs.

(a) A provider of a principal preparation program must require candidates to demonstrate knowledge of teacher evaluation research, Washington's evaluation requirements, and successfully complete opportunities to practice teacher evaluation skills.

(b) Performance assessment. All candidates shall exit the preparation program with a professional growth plan.

(5) Professional education advisory board.

(a) All educator preparation program providers shall establish and maintain a professional education advisory board to participate in and cooperate with the organization on decisions related to the development, implementation, and revision of preparation program(s).

(b) The professional education advisory board has adopted operating procedures and has met at least three times a year.

(c) The professional education advisory board annually shall review and analyze data for the purposes of determining whether candidates have a positive impact on student learning and providing the institution with recommendations for programmatic change. This data may include, but not be limited to: Student surveys, follow-up studies, employment placement records, student performance portfolios, course evaluations, program review indicators, and summaries of performance on the pedagogy assessment for teacher candidates.

(d) The professional education advisory board shall make recommendations when appropriate for program changes to the institution which must in turn consider and respond to the recommendations in writing in a timely fashion.

(6) This section shall be in effect beginning September 1, 2017.

AMENDATORY SECTION (Amending WSR 11-01-047, filed 12/7/10, effective 1/7/11)

WAC 181-78A-307 Course work/internship waiver.

((The institution or organization)) Educator preparation program providers may waive required course work ((and/or)) or waive or reduce in length the required internship for any candidate, ((based on an individual review)) if the ((institution or organization)) provider determines based on individual review that previous course work, work experiences, or alternative learning experiences have or will provide the candidate knowledge and skills to be otherwise gained from the required course work or internship.