PROFESSIONAL EDUCATOR

[Filed June 25, 2020, 2:41 p.m., effective June 25, 2020, 2:41 p.m.]

Effective Date of Rule: Immediately upon filing.

Purpose: This section of WAC would allow for emergency certificates for teacher preparation program candidates who have not completed assessment requirements, but have completed all other program completion requirements. These emergency certificates would be valid for one year.

Citation of Rules Affected by this Order: New WAC 181-79A-228.

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

Under RCW 34.05.350 the agency for good cause finds that immediate adoption, amendment, or repeal of a rule is necessary for the preservation of the public health, safety, or general welfare, and that observing the time requirements of notice and opportunity to comment upon adoption of a permanent rule would be contrary to the public interest.

Reasons for this Finding: Testing centers have now closed for an extended period of time due to health concerns. If testing centers are closed, the basic skills and content knowledge assessments are not available. In addition, schools have closed for an extended period of time. Candidates are challenged to complete the performance assessment if schools are not in session.

This new section of WAC would allow emergency certificates for candidates who have not completed assessment requirements. Emergency certificates allow candidates to serve in their educator role while they complete the requirements.

Number of Sections Adopted in Order to Comply with Federal Statute: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; Federal Rules or Standards: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; or Recently Enacted State Statutes: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.

Number of Sections Adopted at the Request of a Nongovernmental Entity: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.

Number of Sections Adopted on the Agency's own Initiative: New 1, Amended 0, Repealed 0.

Number of Sections Adopted in Order to Clarify, Streamline, or Reform Agency Procedures: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.

Number of Sections Adopted using Negotiated Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; Pilot Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; or Other Alternative Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.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 25, 2020.

WAC 181-79A-228Emergency teacher certificates.

Emergency teacher certificates, valid for one year, may be issued by the superintendent of public instruction under the following conditions:

(1) A teacher preparation program approved by the professional educator standards board has recommended the candidate as having met all requirements for program completion with the exception of one or more of the following:

(a) The performance assessment as described in WAC 181-78A-232 and 181-78A-300;

(b) The content knowledge assessment as described in WAC 181-78A-300 (2)(b); and

(2) During the validity period of the certificate, preparation program providers are required to inform, advise, and support applicants on assessment requirements as described in WAC 181-78A-231(3).

(3) Teacher preparation programs may recommend candidates for an emergency certificate under this section through June 30, 2021.

(4) One additional one-year emergency certificate may be issued upon recommendation by the preparation program provider. Teacher preparation programs may recommend candidates for this additional one-year emergency certificate through December 31, 2021.