WSR 18-12-016 PROPOSED RULES PARAEDUCATOR BOARD [Filed May 24, 2018, 9:16 a.m.] Original Notice. Preproposal statement of inquiry was filed as WSR 18-03-092. Title of Rule and Other Identifying Information: Creates new sections for chapter 179-09 WAC describing requirements for the fundamental course of study for paraeducators.
Hearing Location(s): On July 24, 2918 [2018], at 8:30, at the Radisson Hotel, 18118 International Boulevard, Seattle, WA 98188.
Date of Intended Adoption: July 25, 2018.
Submit Written Comments to: David Brenna, 600 Washington Street, Olympia, WA 98504, email david.brenna@k12.wa.us, fax 360-586-4548, by July 17, 2018.
Assistance for Persons with Disabilities: Contact David Brenna, phone 360-725-6238, fax 360-586-4548, email david.brenna@k12.wa.us, by July 17, 2018. Purpose of the Proposal and Its Anticipated Effects, Including Any Changes in Existing Rules: New regulations for the fundamental course of study for paraeducators as required in HB [ESHB] 1115, 2017.
Statutory Authority for Adoption: Chapter 28A.413 RCW.
Statute Being Implemented: Chapter 28A.413 RCW.
Rule is not necessitated by federal law, federal or state court decision.
Name of Proponent: State legislature, governmental.
Name of Agency Personnel Responsible for Drafting, Implementation, and Enforcement: David Brenna, 600 Washington Street, Olympia, WA 98504, 360-725-6238.
A school district fiscal impact statement is not required under RCW 28A.305.135.
A cost-benefit analysis is not required under RCW 34.05.328. Regulatory change does not have a fiscal impact.
This rule proposal, or portions of the proposal, is exempt from requirements of the Regulatory Fairness Act because the proposal:
Is exempt under RCW 19.85.025(3) as the rule content is explicitly and specifically dictated by statute.
May 24, 2018
David Brenna
Senior Policy Analyst
Chapter 179-09 WAC
FUNDAMENTAL COURSE OF STUDY NEW SECTION
WAC 179-09-010 Authority.
The authority for this chapter is RCW 28A.413.060 which authorizes the paraeducator board to define the fundamental course of study on the state standards of practice, as defined in chapter 179-07 WAC.
NEW SECTION
WAC 179-09-020 Purpose.
The purpose of this chapter is to define the foundational training paraeducators must receive before the paraeducator begins to work with students and their families, or at minimum by the deadlines provided in RCW 28A.413.060.
NEW SECTION
WAC 179-09-030 Definitions.
The four-day fundamental course of study will consist of twenty-eight continuing education credit hours of training.
NEW SECTION
WAC 179-09-040 Fundamental course of study.
(1) School districts must implement this section only in school years for which state funding is appropriated specifically for the purposes of this section and only for the number of days that are funded by the appropriation.
(2) School districts must provide a fundamental course of study on the state standards of practice, as defined by the board in WAC 179-09-050 of this chapter, to paraeducators who have not completed the course, either in the district or in another district within the state. School districts must use best efforts to provide the fundamental course of study before the paraeducator begins to work with students and their families, and at a minimum by the deadlines provided in subsection (3) of this section.
(3) Except as provided in (b) of this subsection, school districts must provide the fundamental course of study required in subsection (2) of this section by the deadlines provided in (a) of this subsection:
(a)(i) For paraeducators hired on or before September 1st, by September 30th of that year, regardless of the size of the district; and
(ii) For paraeducators hired after September 1st:
(A) For districts with ten thousand or more students, within four months of the date of hire; and
(B) For districts with fewer than ten thousand students, no later than September 1st of the following year.
(b)(i) For paraeducators hired for the 2018-19 school year, by September 1, 2020; and
(ii) For paraeducators not hired for the 2018-19 school year, but hired for the 2019-20 school year, by September 1, 2021.
(4) School districts may collaborate with other school districts or educational service districts to meet the requirements of this section.
(5) The fundamental course of study must include the training competencies that align with the standards of practice in chapter 179-07 WAC.
(6) The paraeducator shall be responsible for completing filing requirements with the superintendent of public instruction, in accordance with WAC 179-01-020, the completion of the fundamental course of study.
NEW SECTION
WAC 179-09-050 Course outline for the fundamental course of study.
Providers and facilitators must follow the current course outline as published by the professional educator standards board when delivering the fundamental course of study.
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