Title of Rule and Other Identifying Information: WAC 179-05-025 Start date of the paraeducator certificate program.

Hearing Location(s): On January 15, 2020, at 8:30 a.m., at the Hilton Garden Inn Olympia, 2101 Henderson Park Lane S.E., Olympia, WA 98501.

Submit Written Comments to: Paraeducator Board, 600 Washington Street S.E., Room 400, Olympia, WA 98504, email pesb@k12.wa.us, www.pesb.wa.gov, by January 5, 2020.

Assistance for Persons with Disabilities: Contact paraeducator board, phone 360-725-6275, email rulespesb@k12.wa.us, www.pesb.wa.gov, by January 5, 2020.

Purpose of the Proposal and Its Anticipated Effects, Including Any Changes in Existing Rules: Clarifying the start time of the paraeducator certificate program.

Reasons Supporting Proposal: This proposal is supported by the board and our partners at the office of superintendent of public instruction. Additionally, this will provide clarification to the education system concerning the paraeducator certificate program.

Name of Agency Personnel Responsible for Drafting: Jack Busbee, 600 Washington Street S.E., Olympia, WA 98504-7236; Implementation and Enforcement: Professional Educator Standards Board, 600 Washington Street S.E., Olympia, WA 98504-7236.

A cost-benefit analysis is not required under RCW 34.05.328. The probable benefits of the rule are greater than its probable costs, taking into account both the qualitative and quantitative benefits and costs and the specific directives of the statute being implemented.

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 rules relate only to internal governmental operations that are not subject to violation by a nongovernment party; and rules only correct typographical errors, make address or name changes, or clarify language of a rule without changing its effect.

(1) Beginning July 1, 2019, districts, or providers, may train educators on the paraeducator certificate program. Training completed before July 1, 2019, will not count towards completing continuing education credit hours of the paraeducator certificate program.

(2) The general paraeducator certificate may be attained with continuing education credit hours that were completed after July 1, 2019, and within five years prior to the date of application.

[]

Reviser's note: The brackets and enclosed material in the text of the above section occurred in the copy filed by the agency and appear in the Register pursuant to the requirements of RCW 34.08.040.