WSR 25-21-030

PROPOSED RULES

PROFESSIONAL EDUCATOR

STANDARDS BOARD

[Filed October 7, 2025, 3:18 p.m.]

Original Notice.

Preproposal statement of inquiry was filed as WSR 25-05-039.

Title of Rule and Other Identifying Information: WAC 179-09-060 Fundamental course of study in-person exemptions and equivalency.

Hearing Location(s): On November 12, 2025, at 8:00 a.m., in Tacoma, Washington. Exact meeting location and a link to listen to the meeting virtually will be available several weeks prior to the meeting. More information regarding this can be found on our website at https://www.pesb.wa.gov/about-us/board-meetings/.

Date of Intended Adoption: November 12, 2025.

Submit Written Comments to: Professional Educator Standards Board (PESB), P.O. Box 47236, 600 Washington Street S.E., Olympia, WA 98504-7236, email pesb@k12.wa.us, by 8:00 a.m., Monday, November 10, 2025.

Assistance for Persons with Disabilities: Contact PESB, phone 360-725-6275, email pesb.k12.wa.us [pesb@k12.wa.us], by Friday, October 31, 2025.

Purpose of the Proposal and Its Anticipated Effects, Including Any Changes in Existing Rules: Adds language allowing individuals who are alumni of a PESB-designated teacher academy to be granted equivalency of 14 hours of the paraeducator fundamental course of study training.

Reasons Supporting Proposal: Brings WAC into alignment with recently legislated RCW.

Statutory Authority for Adoption: Chapter 28A.410 RCW.

Statute Being Implemented: Chapter 28A.410 RCW.

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

Name of Proponent: PESB, governmental.

Name of Agency Personnel Responsible for Drafting: Matt Dressen, P.O. Box 47236, 600 Washington Street S.E., Olympia, WA 98504-7236, 564-999-3364; Implementation: Jeffrey Youde, P.O. Box 47236, 600 Washington Street S.E., Olympia, WA 98504-7236, 360-870-0143; and Enforcement: Erica Hernandez-Scott, P.O. Box 47236, 600 Washington Street S.E., Olympia, WA 98504-7236, 360-890-2443.

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.

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 adopt, amend, or repeal a procedure, practice, or requirement relating to agency hearings; or a filing or related process requirement for applying to an agency for a license or permit.

Scope of exemption for rule proposal:

Is fully exempt.

October 7, 2025

Matt Dressen

Rules Coordinator

RDS-6199.3

NEW SECTION

WAC 179-09-060FCS in-person exemptions and equivalency.

(1) School districts with an enrollment of less than 2,000 students who hire paraeducators after the first day of a school year are eligible to request an exemption from meeting the in-person training requirements from the paraeducator board under WAC 179-11-040(4).

(2) Individuals who have successfully completed a paraeducator board-approved teacher academy are granted equivalency of 14 hours of the paraeducator fundamental course of study training, but not the in-person requirement.