Washington State
House of Representatives
Office of Program Research
BILL
ANALYSIS
Education Committee
HB 1377
Brief Description: Posting of approved courses and providers of continuing education.
Sponsors: Representatives Santos, Reed and Ortiz-Self.
Brief Summary of Bill
  • Removes the limitation that certain required continuing education for administrators and teachers be provided only by identified clock hour providers and instead adds that the Professional Educator Standards Board approve the continuing education.
Hearing Date: 2/7/23
Staff: Megan Wargacki (786-7194).
Background:

Continuing Education Generally.
The Professional Educator Standards Board (PESB) adopts rules and creates policies for the preparation and certification of educators.  The PESB's statutory duties include specifying the types and kinds of educator certificates to be issued and the conditions for certification.
 
Every five years, teachers and administrators must renew their certificate by meeting one of the following continuing education requirements:  (1) complete 100 clock hours or the equivalent in college credit; (2) complete four professional growth plans (PGPs); or (3) complete a combination of PGPs and clock hours. 
 
The PESB approves clock hour providers, who are required to convene a committee to review and approve courses to be offered.  The PESB also approves certain courses that some certificated staff are required to complete.
 
Specific Continuing Education Requirements.
For administrators renewing a certificate on or after July 1, 2023, the continuing education must meet the following requirements:  10 percent must focus on equity-based school practices, 10 percent must focus on the National Professional Standards for Education Leaders (PSEL), and 5 percent must focus on government-to-government relationships with federally recognized tribes.
 
For teachers renewing a certificate on or after July 1, 2023, the continuing education must meet the following requirements:  15 percent of continuing education must focus on equity-based school practices.  
 
Required continuing education related to equity-based school practice and the PSEL must be provided by one or more of the following entities, if they are an approved clock hour provider:  the Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI), school districts, Educational Service Districts, PESB-approved administrator or teacher preparation programs, the Association of Washington School Principals, or the Washington Education Association.
 
Required continuing education related to government-to-government relationships with federally recognized tribes must be provided by one or more subject matter experts approved by the Governor's Office on Indian Affairs in collaboration with the Tribal Leaders Congress on Education and the Office of Native Education in the OSPI.
Summary of Bill:

Required continuing education related to equity-based school practices and to the National Professional Standards for Education Leaders must be approved by the Professional Educator Standards Board (PESB) using standards adopted by the PESB for this purpose, rather than be provided by one of the listed entities.  The PESB must maintain a list of approved courses on its website.
 
The Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction and the PESB must maintain on their websites a list of approved subject matter experts on government-to-government relationships with federally recognized tribes.
Appropriation: None.
Fiscal Note: Requested on January 31, 2023.
Effective Date: The bill takes effect 90 days after adjournment of the session in which the bill is passed.