[Filed June 17, 2019, 8:05 a.m., effective July 18, 2019]

Effective Date of Rule: Thirty-one days after filing.

Purpose: To clarify use of professional growth plans in relation to obtaining the general paraeducator certificate.

Citation of Rules Affected by this Order: Amending WAC 179-11-040.

Statutory Authority for Adoption: Chapter 28A.413 RCW.

Adopted under notice filed as WSR 19-02-011 on December 20, 2018.

A final cost-benefit analysis is available by contacting Rules Coordinator, Old Capitol Building, Olympia, Washington 98502, phone 360-725-6275, email rulespesb@k12.wa.us, web site www.PESB.wa.gov.

Number of Sections Adopted in Order to Comply with Federal Statute: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; Federal Rules or Standards: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; or Recently Enacted State Statutes: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.

Number of Sections Adopted at the Request of a Nongovernmental Entity: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.

Number of Sections Adopted on the Agency's own Initiative: New 0, Amended 1, Repealed 0.

Number of Sections Adopted in Order to Clarify, Streamline, or Reform Agency Procedures: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.

Number of Sections Adopted using Negotiated Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; Pilot Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; or Other Alternative Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.

Date Adopted: June 14, 2019.

AMENDATORY SECTION(Amending WSR 18-16-107, filed 7/31/18, effective 8/31/18)

WAC 179-11-040Process.

(1) School districts must implement this section only in school years for which state funding is appropriated specifically for the purposes of this section and only for the number of days that are funded by the appropriation.

(2) The paraeducator must complete the general paraeducator certificate in three years after completing the fundamental course of study, as follows:

(a) If the fundamental course of study is completed prior to June 30th of a calendar year, then it shall have a completion date calculated on the basis that it was completed on June 30th of the same calendar year regardless of the date of completion; and

(b) If the fundamental course of study is completed July 1st or later in the calendar year, then it shall have a completion date calculated on the basis that it was completed on June 30th of the next calendar year regardless of the date of completion.

(3) To attain the paraeducator general certificate, the paraeducator must complete training that meets in-service education approval standards as written in chapter 181-85 WAC.

(4) A maximum of one professional growth plan may be completed towards the attainment of the general paraeducator certificate.

(5) A paraeducator who holds the English language learner subject matter certificate and/or special education subject matter certificate may deduct twenty continuing education credit hours per subject matter certificate from the hours required to meet the general paraeducator certificate.

(((5)))(6) The paraeducator shall be responsible for completing filing requirements with the superintendent of public instruction, in accordance with WAC 179-01-020, the completion of the general paraeducator certificate.