(1) Alternative routes to teacher certification programs are partnerships between professional educator standards board-approved preparation program providers, Washington school districts, and other partners as appropriate. These partnerships are focused on district-specific teacher shortage areas. Approved alternative routes partnerships are eligible to apply for the alternative routes block grant and to facilitate alternative route conditional scholarship program as described in RCW 28A.660.050.

(2) Each prospective teacher preparation program provider, in cooperation with a Washington school district or consortia of school districts operating an approved alternative route to teacher certification program must meet the following requirements:

(a) Partnership requirements. Alternative routes providers shall establish an alternative routes partnership memorandum of agreement (MOA) between the approved teacher preparation program provider and each partnering district or consortia of districts. Each MOA shall require:

(i) An identification, indication of commitment, and description of the role of approved teacher preparation program provider and partnering district or consortia of districts, including specific duties of each partner;

(ii) The role of each partner in candidate recruitment, screening, selection, and oversight;

(iii) The role of each partner in field placement and student teaching and a description of when each begins within the program;

(iv) The role of each partner in mentor selection, training, and support;

(v) A description of how the district intends for the alternative route program to support its workforce development plan and how the presence of alternative route candidates will advance its school improvement plans.

(b) Programmatic requirements. Programs shall uphold the following requirements in addition to requirements and standards listed in chapter 181-78A WAC.

(i) Ensure candidates meet assessment requirements for basic skills, content knowledge, and performance-based assessment per RCW 28A.410.220, 28A.410.280, and WAC 181-78A-300.

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

(iii) Clinical practice for teacher candidates should consist of no less than five hundred forty hours in classroom settings.

(iv) Mentorship requirements must be met in accordance with WAC 181-78A-220 and 181-78A-300 and each candidate must be assigned a mentor. The candidate must receive mentoring for the duration of the residency.

(v) Teacher development plan: Ensure the design and use of a teacher development plan for each candidate. The plan shall specify the alternative route coursework and training required of each candidate and shall be developed by comparing the candidate's prior experience and coursework with the state's standards for residency certification. The plan must also include:

(A) Identification of one or more tools to be used to assess a candidate's performance once the candidate is about halfway through their residency;

(B) Recognition for relevant prior learning that demonstrates meeting residency certification competencies; and

(C) A description of the criteria that would result in early exit from the program with residency certification.

(vi) Shortage areas. Alternative route programs shall enroll candidates in a subject or geographic endorsement shortage area, as defined by the professional educator standards board.