The following definitions shall apply to terms used in this chapter:

(1) Clinical practice: "Clinical practice" means the period during a 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 in the role for which the candidate is seeking certification, as defined in WAC 181-78A-010.

(2) District staff member: For the purposes of chapter 181-80 WAC, these candidates may be classified district staff members, or district staff members who hold initial, continuing, or limited career technical education certificates, or district early learning education staff.

(3) Field experience: "Field experience" means learning experiences in school, clinical, or laboratory settings. These learning experiences must be related to specific program outcomes and designed to integrate educational theory, knowledge, and skills in actual practice under the direction of a qualified supervisor as defined in WAC 181-78A-010.

(4) Internship: "Internship" means the period of clinical practice for candidates enrolled in approved administrator, school counselor, and school psychologist preparation programs as defined in WAC 181-78A-010.

(5) Preresidency intensive academy: The preresidency intensive academy shall require candidates to, prior to beginning residency, gain foundational knowledge in professional educator standards board-approved program domain standards; an introduction to the culture of schools, lesson planning, and basic classroom management; and must require training in cultural competency.

(6) Residency: A residency is a year-long field experience with a minimum of five hundred forty hours of student teaching. Residency is facilitated through partnership of preparation program and school district. Mentoring is required for the duration of the residency.

(7) Student teaching: "Student teaching" means the period of clinical practice for individuals enrolled in teacher preparation programs as defined in WAC 181-78A-010.

(1) ((The professional educator standards board shall transition the alternative route partnership grant program from a separate competitive grant program to a preparation program model to be expanded among approved preparation program providers.)) Alternative routes to teacher certification programs are partnerships between professional educator standards board-approved preparation program((s))providers, Washington school districts, and other partners as appropriate. These partnerships are focused on district-specific teacher shortage areas. Authorized 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 ((applying to operate an))operating an approved alternative route to teacher certification program ((shall include in its proposal to the Washington professional educator standards board:

(a) The route or routes the partnership program intends to offer and a detailed description of how the routes will be structured and operated by the partnership;

(b) The estimated number of candidates that will be enrolled per route;

(c) An identification, indication of commitment, and description of the role of approved teacher preparation programs and partnering district or consortia of districts;

(d) An assurance that the district or approved preparation program provider will provide adequate training for mentor teachers specific to the mentoring of alternative route candidates;

(e) An assurance that significant time will be provided for mentor teachers to spend with the alternative route teacher candidates throughout the internship. Partnerships must provide each candidate with intensive classroom mentoring until such time as the candidate demonstrates the competency necessary to manage the classroom with less intensive supervision and guidance from a mentor;

(f) A description of the rigorous screening process for applicants to alternative route programs, including entry requirements specific to each route, as provided in RCW 28A.660.040;

(g) A summary of procedures that provide flexible completion opportunities for candidates to achieve a residency certificate; and

(h) 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 new performance-based standards for residency certification and adjusting any requirements accordingly. The plan may include the following components:

(i) A minimum of one-half of a school year, and an additional significant amount of time if necessary, of intensive mentorship during field experience, starting with full-time mentoring and progressing to increasingly less intensive monitoring and assistance as the intern demonstrates the skills necessary to take over the classroom with less intensive support. Before the supervision is diminished, the mentor of the teacher candidate at the school and the supervisor of the teacher candidate from the teacher preparation program must both agree that the teacher candidate is ready to manage the classroom with less intensive supervision;

(ii) Identification of performance indicators based on the knowledge and skills standards required for residency certification by the Washington professional educator standards board;

(iii) Identification of benchmarks that will indicate when the standard is met for all performance indicators;

(iv) A description of strategies for assessing candidate performance on the benchmarks;

(v) Identification of one or more tools to be used to assess a candidate's performance once the candidate has been in the classroom for about one-half of a school year;

(vi) A description of the criteria that would result in residency certification after about one-half of a school year but before the end of the program; and

(vii) 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 interns will advance its school improvement plans.

(3) To the extent funds are appropriated for this purpose, alternative route programs may apply for program funds to pay stipends to trained mentor teachers of interns during the mentored internship. The per intern amount of mentor stipend provided by state funds shall not exceed five hundred dollars))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 mentorship 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(3).

(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 within the teacher development plan that demonstrates meeting residency certification competencies; and

(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 including, but not limited to, bilingual, English language learner, special education, early childhood education, and areas with shortages due to geographic location as determined by the professional educator standards board.

Alternative route programs under this chapter shall operate one to four specific route programs. Successful completion of ((the program shall make a candidate eligible))an alternative route program shall meet the program completion requirements for residency teacher certification. The mentor of the teacher candidate at the school and the supervisor of the teacher candidate from the teacher preparation program provider must both agree that the teacher candidate has successfully completed the program.

(1) ((Alternative route programs operating))Route 1: Providers approved to offer route one programs shall enroll currently employed ((classified instructional employees with transferable associate degrees))district staff members seeking residency teacher certification ((with endorsements in special education, bilingual education, or English as a second language. It is anticipated that)). Candidates enrolled in ((this route will))route one programs may complete both their baccalaureate degree and requirements for residency certification in two years or less((, including a mentored internship to be completed in the final year. In addition, partnership programs)). Program providers and partners shall uphold entry requirements for route one candidates that include:

(a) A transferable associate degree, or associate degree, or associate of applied science, or ninety quarter credits or the equivalent in semester credits from an accredited institution of higher education;

(b) District or building validation of qualifications, including one year of ((successful)) student interaction and leadership ((as a classified instructional employee;

(b) Successful passage of the statewide basic skills exam; and

(2) Alternative route programs operating)).

(2) Route 2: Providers approved to offer route two programs shall enroll currently employed ((classified))district staff members with baccalaureate degrees seeking residency teacher certification ((in subject matter shortage areas and areas with shortages due to geographic location)). Candidates enrolled in this route must complete a ((mentored internship complemented by flexibly scheduled training and coursework offered at a local site, such as a school or educational service district, or online or via videoconference over the K-20 network, in collaboration with the partnership program's higher education partner. In addition, partnership grant programs))preresidency intensive academy. Program providers and partners shall uphold entry requirements for candidates that include:

(a) A baccalaureate degree from an accredited institution of higher education;

(b) District or building validation of qualifications, including one year of ((successful)) student interaction and leadership ((as classified staff;

(b) A baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited institution of higher education. The individual's college or university grade point average may be considered as a selection factor;

(d) Meeting the age, good moral character, and personal fitness requirements adopted by rule for teachers; and

(e) Successful passage of the statewide basic skills exam)).

(3) ((Alternative route programs seeking funds to operate))Route 3: Providers approved to offer route three programs shall enroll individuals with baccalaureate degrees, who are not employed in the district at the time of application. ((When selecting candidates for certification through route three, districts and approved preparation program providers shall give priority to individuals who are seeking residency teacher certification in subject matter shortage areas or shortages due to geographic locations. Cohorts of candidates for this route shall attend an intensive summer teaching academy, followed by a full year employed by a district in a mentored internship, followed, if necessary, by a second summer teaching academy. In addition, partnership programs))Candidates enrolled in this route must complete a preresidency intensive academy. Program providers and partners shall uphold entry requirements for candidates that include:

(a) A baccalaureate degree from ((a regionally))an accredited institution of higher education((. The individual's grade point average may be considered as a selection factor;

(b) Successful completion of the subject matter assessment required by RCW 28A.410.220(3);

(c))); and

(b) External validation of qualifications, including demonstrated ((successful)) experience with students or children, such as reference letters and letters of support from previous employers((;

(d) Meeting the age, good moral character, and personal fitness requirements adopted by rule for teachers; and

(e) Successful passage of statewide basic skills exam.

(4) Alternative route programs operating)).

(4) Route 4: Providers approved to offer route four programs shall enroll individuals with baccalaureate degrees, who are employed in the district at the time of application, or who hold ((conditional teaching certificates or emergency substitute certificates. Cohorts of candidates for this route shall attend an intensive summer teaching academy, followed by a full year employed by a district in a mentored internship. If employed on a conditional certificate, the intern may serve as the teacher of record, supported by a well-trained mentor. In addition, partnership programs))limited certificates as described in WAC 181-79A-231, or hold initial, continuing, or limited career technical education certificates as described in chapter 181-77 WAC. Candidates enrolled in this route must complete a preresidency intensive academy. The candidate will be delegated primary responsibility for planning, conducting, and evaluating instructional activities in a designated classroom. Program providers and partners shall uphold entry requirements for candidates that include:

(a) A baccalaureate degree from ((a regionally))an accredited institution of higher education((. The individual's grade point average may be considered as a selection factor;

(b) Successful completion of the subject matter assessment required by RCW 28A.410.220(3);

(c))); and

(b) External validation of qualifications, including demonstrated ((successful)) experience with students or children, such as reference letters and letters of support from previous employers((;

(d) Meeting the age, good moral character, and personal fitness requirements adopted by rule for teachers; and

(e) Successful passage of statewide basic skills exam)).

(5) Applicants for alternative route programs who are eligible veterans or National Guard members and who meet the entry requirements for the alternative route program for which application is made shall be given preference in admission.