Original Notice.

     Preproposal statement of inquiry was filed as WSR 08-01-126.

     Title of Rule and Other Identifying Information: WAC 181-79A-130 Fee for certification, 181-79A-131 Use of fee for certification, and 181-79A-221 Academic and experience requirements for certification -- School counselors, school psychologists, and school social workers.

     Hearing Location(s): Coast Wenatchee Center Hotel, 201 North Wenatchee Avenue, Wenatchee, WA 98801, on May 21, 2008, at 8:30 a.m.

     Date of Intended Adoption: May 21, 2008.

     Submit Written Comments to: Nasue Nishida, P.O. Box 47236, Olympia, 98504, e-mail nasue.nishida@k12.wa.us, fax (360) 586-4548, by May 10, 2008.

     Assistance for Persons with Disabilities: Contact Nasue Nishida by May 10, 2008, TTY (360) 664-3631 or (360) 725-6238.

     Purpose of the Proposal and Its Anticipated Effects, Including Any Changes in Existing Rules: Per legislation that passed this session, SB 6740, the professional educator standards board (PESB) would allow ESDs to use their portion of certification fees to operate their certification offices. The PESB will also allow a school counselor holding a school counselor national board certificate to have met the professional certificate requirement.

     Statutory Authority for Adoption: RCW 28A.410.210 and 28A.410.010.

     Rule is not necessitated by federal law, federal or state court decision.

     Name of Proponent: Professional educator standards board, governmental.

     Name of Agency Personnel Responsible for Drafting,

Implementation and Enforcement: Nasue Nishida, P.O. Box 42736, Olympia, WA 98504, (360) 725-6238.

     No small business economic impact statement has been prepared under chapter 19.85 RCW. The proposed amendment does not have an impact on small business and therefore does not meet the requirements for a statement under RCW 19.85.030 (1) or (2).

     A cost-benefit analysis is required under RCW 34.05.328. A preliminary cost-benefit analysis may be obtained by contacting Nasue Nishida, P.O. Box 47236, phone (360) 725-6238, fax (360) 586-4548, e-mail nasue.nishida@k12.wa.us.

March 27, 2008

Nasue Nishida

Policy and Research Analyst

OTS-1425.1

AMENDATORY SECTION(Amending WSR 08-03-100, filed 1/20/08, effective 2/20/08)

WAC 181-79A-130   Fee for certification.   (1) In accordance with provisions of RCW 28A.410.060 and 28A.415.010, the fee for certificates which are valid for more than one year, issued by authority of the state of Washington and authorizing the holder to serve in the common schools of the state, shall be as follows:

     (a) The first issue of the residency certificate, five dollars for each year of validity;

     (b) The continuing certificate, seventy dollars;

     (c) The reinstatement, additional endorsement on the teaching certificate, duplicate certificates, substitute certificates, and certificates issued for the purpose of showing a name change, fifteen dollars;

     (d) The first peoples' language, culture, and oral tribal traditions teacher certificate, twenty-five dollars; and

     (e) Any other certificate or credential or any renewal thereof, five dollars for each year of validity:

     (f) Provided, That the fee for all career and technical education certificates shall be one dollar:

     (g) Provided, That a one-time late fee for a renewed initial or continuing certificate issued under the provisions of WAC 181-79A-123 (7), (8), or (9) for those whose initial certificate had already expired shall be one hundred dollars.

     (2) The fee for any other certificate/credential, or for any renewal thereof, issued by the authority of the state of Washington and authorizing the holder to serve in the common schools of the state, shall be five dollars.

     (3) Officials authorized to collect certification fees are educational service district superintendents, local school district superintendents, deans and directors of education at colleges and universities, or their designees. Sovereign tribal governments may collect certification fees for first peoples' language, culture, and oral tribal traditions certificates. The fee must accompany the application for a certificate and shall be transmitted by the receiving district, college or university, sovereign tribal government or program unit designee at least quarterly to the educational service district within which the application is filed for disposition in accordance with provisions of RCW 28A.410.060. The fee shall not be refunded unless the application is withdrawn before it is finally considered (i.e., the issuance of a certificate or a written communication denying such issuance) by the superintendent of public instruction or his or her designee. Fees not refunded shall apply as credit toward certificate fees if such applicant reapplies within twenty-four months of the date of denial. Moneys accrued from certification fees within the boundaries of an educational service district shall be divided in the following manner:

     (a) Local school districts employing more than one hundred teachers and other professional staff and collecting certification fees may retain one dollar of each fee in order to hold a professional training institute. If such district does not hold an institute, all such moneys shall be placed to the credit of the educational service district.

     (b) No less than fifty percent of the funds accruing within the boundaries of an educational service district shall be used to support program activities related to statewide precertification professional preparation and evaluation.

     (c) The remaining funds shall be used to support professional in-service training programs ((and evaluations thereof)), program evaluation and/or provision of certification services by educational service districts.

     (d) Use of certification fees described in this section shall be reported annually to the professional educator standards board pursuant to WAC 181-79A-131(((5))) (6).

[Statutory Authority: RCW 28A.410.210. 08-03-100, § 181-79A-130, filed 1/20/08, effective 2/20/08; 07-12-006, § 181-79A-130, filed 5/24/07, effective 6/24/07; 06-14-010, § 181-79A-130, filed 6/22/06, effective 7/23/06. 06-02-051, recodified as § 181-79A-130, filed 12/29/05, effective 1/1/06. Statutory Authority: RCW 28A.410.010. 05-23-043, § 180-79A-130, filed 11/9/05, effective 12/10/05. Statutory Authority: RCW 28A.410.010 and 28A.305.130. 05-15-024, § 180-79A-130, filed 7/7/05, effective 8/7/05. Statutory Authority: RCW 28A.410.010 and 28A.305.130 (1) through (4). 02-04-018, § 180-79A-130, filed 1/24/02, effective 2/24/02. Statutory Authority: RCW 28A.410.010. 01-09-005, § 180-79A-130, filed 4/5/01, effective 5/6/01; 00-03-048, § 180-79A-130, filed 1/14/00, effective 2/14/00; 97-04-088, § 180-79A-130, filed 2/5/97, effective 3/8/97.]

OTS-1424.1

AMENDATORY SECTION(Amending WSR 06-14-010, filed 6/22/06, effective 7/23/06)

WAC 181-79A-131   Use of fee for certification.   (1) Certification fees will be used solely for precertification preparation, program evaluation, professional in-service training programs, ((teachers' institutes and/or workshops, and evaluations)) and/or provision of certification services by educational service districts thereof in accordance with this chapter.

     (2) Precertification preparation:

     (a) The primary utilization shall be to support collaborative efforts essential to program development, program evaluation, and assessment of candidates' entry and exit competency.

     (b) Funds set aside for precertification shall not supplant funds already available to any participating agency.

     (c) A single educational service district shall be designated to administer the funds allocated for precertification programs. The designated educational service district shall be permitted to retain a percentage of the precertification fees at a rate to be negotiated by the superintendent of public instruction and the educational service district for costs related to administering these funds.

     (d) Each quarter every educational service district shall forward the moneys designated for precertification programs to the educational service district designated to administer such programs.

     (3) Professional in-service training programs and teachers' institutes and/or workshops:

     (a) Each educational service district, or cooperative thereof as specified in (d) of this subsection, shall establish an in-service committee composed of an educational service district representative; at least one district superintendent; one principal; one educational staff associate; one elementary, one junior high and one senior high teacher; one representative from the elementary or secondary level of private schools within the educational service district; and one representative selected by the chief administrative officer responsible for professional education from a college/university having a professional educator standards board-approved teacher education program. Teacher representatives shall be selected by agreement among the presidents of the local education associations within the respective educational service district or cooperative thereof.

     (b) The educational service district representative shall serve as chairperson of the in-service committee and provide liaison with the superintendent of public instruction and the professional educator standards board.

     (c) The in-service committee will be responsible for coordinating in-service/staff development model programs within the educational service district and shall submit to the superintendent of public instruction and the professional educator standards board a plan for soliciting and selecting model programs which shall include procedures for conducting needs assessments, determining priorities and carrying out program evaluation.

     (d) Cooperative agreements may be made among educational service districts to provide quality in-service education programs.

     (e) Funds designated for in-service programs shall not supplant funds already available for such programs.

     (4) Provision of certification services:

     (a) The primary utilization shall be to support costs associated with operating educational service district certification offices to provide direct service to educators related to certification.

     (b) Funds set aside for the provision of certification services shall not supplant funds already available to any educational service district.

     (5) Allowable expenditures. Funds may be used to support costs related to training, such as the payment of professional contractual services, per diem, travel costs, materials, printing, or released time. Nonallowable costs are college/university tuition and fees.

     (((5))) (6) Annual reporting. No later than July 1, the superintendent of public instruction shall prepare and present to the professional educator standards board an annual report concerning the use of certification fees for ((precertification and in-service activities)) the previous fiscal year. The report shall include proposed budgets and a description of activities, in accordance with this chapter, for the upcoming fiscal year. Budgets and activities must be approved by the professional educator standards board on an annual basis.

[Statutory Authority: RCW 28A.410.210. 06-14-010, § 181-79A-131, filed 6/22/06, effective 7/23/06. 06-02-051, recodified as § 181-79A-131, filed 12/29/05, effective 1/1/06. Statutory Authority: RCW 28A.305.130 and 28A.410.010. 02-18-037, § 180-79A-131, filed 8/26/02, effective 9/26/02. Statutory Authority: RCW 28A.410.010. 97-04-088, § 180-79A-131, filed 2/5/97, effective 3/8/97.]

OTS-1426.1

AMENDATORY SECTION(Amending WSR 06-14-010, filed 6/22/06, effective 7/23/06)

WAC 181-79A-221   Academic and experience requirements for certification -- School counselors, school psychologists, and school social workers.   Candidates for school counselor, school psychologist and school social worker certification shall complete the following requirements in addition to those set forth in WAC 181-79A-150 and 181-79A-226: Provided, That it shall not be necessary for any candidate who holds a master's or doctorate degree to obtain the specified master's degree if the candidate provides satisfactory evidence to the superintendent of public instruction that he or she has completed all course work requirements relevant to the required master's degree and has satisfactorily completed a comprehensive written examination required in such master's degree program: Provided, That if any candidate has been awarded a master's degree without a comprehensive written examination, the candidate, as a condition for certification, shall arrange to take such an examination with any accredited college or university and provide the superintendent of public instruction with an affidavit from the chair of the department of such academic field that he or she has successfully completed the above noted comprehensive examination.

     (1) School counselor.

     (a) Initial.

     (i) The candidate shall have completed all requirements for the master's degree (except special projects or thesis) with a major in counseling.

     (ii) The candidate shall have successfully completed a written comprehensive examination of the knowledge included in the course work for the required master's degree. This examination shall be an examination of a regionally accredited institution of higher education or the National Counselor Examination (NCE) of the National Board of Certified Counselors (NBCC).

     (b) Residency.

     (i) The candidate shall hold a master's degree with a major in counseling.

     (ii) The candidate shall have successfully completed a written comprehensive examination of the knowledge included in the course work for the required master's degree. This examination shall be a proctored, written examination of a regionally accredited institution of higher education or the candidate may meet this requirement by receiving a passing score on the Praxis II guidance and counseling examination administered by Educational Testing Service (ETS).

     (c) Continuing.

     (i) The candidate shall hold a master's degree with a major in counseling.

     (ii) The candidate shall provide documentation of one hundred eighty days or full-time equivalent or more employment in the respective role with an authorized employer -- i.e., school district, educational service district, state agency, college or university, private school, or private school system -- and at least thirty days of such employment with the same employer.

     (iii) The candidates must demonstrate their respective knowledges and skills while employed in that role by passing a one-quarter or one-semester college or university course that includes peer review. The college or university shall establish the procedures for the peer review with advice from the respective professional education advisory board.

     (d) Professional. The candidate shall have completed an approved professional certificate program, provided, that an individual who holds a school counseling certificate issued by the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards (NBPTS) shall be deemed to have met the requirement for completion of a professional certificate program, in recognition that NBPTS certification is issued only to individuals who have demonstrated highly advanced skills as a school counselor.

     (2) School psychologist.

     (a) Initial.

     (i) The candidate shall have completed all requirements for the master's degree (except special projects or thesis) with a major or specialization in school psychology.

     (ii) The candidate shall have successfully completed a written comprehensive examination of the knowledge included in the course work for the required master's degree. This examination shall be an examination from a regionally accredited institution of higher education or the National Certification of School Psychologist (NCSP) examination.

     (b) Residency.

     (i) The candidate shall hold a master's degree with a major or specialization in school psychology.

     (ii) The candidate shall have successfully completed a written comprehensive examination of the knowledge included in the course work for the required master's degree. This examination shall be a proctored, written examination of a regionally accredited institution of higher education or the candidate may meet this requirement by receiving a passing score on the Praxis II school psychology examination administered by Educational Testing Service (ETS).

     (c) Continuing.

     (i) The candidate shall hold a master's degree with a major or specialization in school psychology.

     (ii) The candidate shall provide documentation of one hundred eighty days or full-time equivalent or more employment in the respective role with an authorized employer -- i.e., school district, educational service district, state agency, college or university, private school, or private school system -- and at least thirty days of such employment with the same employer.

     (iii) The candidates must demonstrate their respective knowledges and skills while employed in that role by passing a one-quarter or one-semester college or university course that includes peer review. The college or university shall establish the procedures for the peer review with advice from the respective professional education advisory board.

     (d) Professional. The candidate shall have completed an approved professional certificate program.

     (3) School social worker.

     (a) Initial.

     (i) The candidate shall have completed all requirements for a master's degree in social work except special projects or thesis.

     (ii) The candidate shall have successfully completed a written comprehensive examination of the knowledge included in the course work for the required master's degree. This examination shall be an examination from a regionally accredited institution of higher education, the social worker examination of the Academy of Certified Social Workers or the National Teacher Examination -- School Social Worker Specialty Area examination required for certification as a school social worker by the National Association of Social Workers.

     (b) Residency.

     (i) The candidate shall hold a master's degree in social work.

     (ii) The candidate shall have successfully completed a written comprehensive examination of the knowledge included in the course work for the required master's degree. This examination shall be a proctored, written examination of a regionally accredited institution of higher education or the candidate may meet the requirement by receiving a passing score on the Praxis II school social work examination administered by Educational Testing Service (ETS).

     (c) Continuing.

     (i) The candidate shall hold a master's degree in social work.

     (ii) The candidate shall provide documentation of one hundred eighty days or full-time equivalent or more employment in the respective role with an authorized employer -- i.e., school district, educational service district, state agency, college or university, private school, or private school system -- and at least thirty days of such employment with the same employer.

     (iii) The candidates must demonstrate their respective knowledges and skills while employed in that role by passing a one-quarter or one-semester college or university course that includes peer review. The college or university shall establish the procedures for the peer review with advice from the respective professional education advisory board.

     (d) Professional. The candidate shall have completed an approved professional certificate program.

[Statutory Authority: RCW 28A.410.210. 06-14-010, § 181-79A-221, filed 6/22/06, effective 7/23/06. 06-02-051, recodified as § 181-79A-221, filed 12/29/05, effective 1/1/06. Statutory Authority: RCW 28A.401.010 [28A.410.010]. 04-21-040, § 180-79A-221, filed 10/15/04, effective 11/15/04. Statutory Authority: RCW 28A.305.130 (1) and (2), 28A.410.010 and 28A.150.220(4). 99-01-174, § 180-79A-221, filed 12/23/98, effective 1/23/99.]

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