PARAEDUCATOR BOARD NEWSLETTER
FROM THE MAY BOARD MEETING
The Board recently held its May 16 meeting in Richland, WA and approved or adopted many important policies.
A
reminder that the background and presentation materials for the this meeting can be found on our website.
In May, the Board:
- Approved the use of Professional Growth Plans (PGPs) to meet the requirements of the Advanced Paraeducator Certificate - Tab 3
- Approved the recommendations provided by the review workgroup on the districts and ESDs to administer the paraeducator pilot - Tab 4
- Adopted the rule that holders of Washington educator certificates who are serving as a paraeducator, must complete the Fundamental Course of Study (if funded by the legislature) - Tab 5
- Approved emergency WAC that clarifies paraeducator minimum employment requirements and defines "equivalencies" to a high school diploma - Tab 9
Annotated actions provide Board response to
agenda items. Official minutes will be reviewed and acted upon at the next Board meeting, July 25.
HS DIPLOMA EQUIVALENCY: WHAT DOES THAT MEAN?
The Paraeducator Board approved emergency rules that further clarify what the paraeducator minimum employment requirements are, and defines seven items or approaches that may be used as a HS diploma "equivalency."
To determine if you, or the paraeducators in your district, are meeting the minimum employment requirements, which begin in the upcoming school year, please visit our online resource page.
NEED AN IMPLEMENTATION TIMELINE?
A lot is happening in Washington regarding paraeducators. New employment requirements are taking effect, and a new professional development certificate program begins Fall 2019.
With all these changes, we thought it helpful to create a timeline of upcoming implementation dates. You may view the infographic online.
CALLING FOR SUBCOMMITTEE MEMBERS
The Paraeducator Board is seeking individuals interested in serving on a subcommittee to determine if substitute paraeducators are required to meet the new paraeducator minimum employment requirements and/or professional development training.
The subcommittee will take place on June 29, either virtually or in-person at the Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI), in Olympia, WA.
We anticipate a lot of interest in this subcommittee and have limited capacity. If you are interested in serving on this subcommittee, please complete the following online form. PESB staff will notify invited members in early June.
If you have questions, please contact Jack Busbee (jack.busbee@k12.wa.us).
WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU
Along with the above call for subcommittee members, the Paraeducator Board has the following quick questionnaire: Do you believe substitute paraeducators should meet the minimum employment requirements and/or the professional development training, if funding is provided?
Answer now by completing the following form.
PIPELINE FOR PARAEDUCATORS CONDITIONAL SCHOLARSHIP
The Paraeducator Board is pleased to announce that the 2018-19 deadlines to apply for the Pipeline for Paraeducators Conditional Scholarship are available.
This program can provide funding for paraeducators, who have a minimum of three years classroom experience and no college degree, of up to $4,000 towards earning their Associate of Arts (AA) degree from a Washington community or technical college with the intention of becoming a fully certified teacher. Those awarded will be required to complete their AA within two years of being awarded, making them eligible to enroll in an Alternative Route 1 program to earn their certification, and then teach for a minimum of two years.
More information on the requirements and responsibilities of candidates are now available: http://pathway.pesb.wa.gov/current-educators/educator-retooling.
JOIN US ON SOCIAL MEDIA
Did you know that PESB and the Paraeducator Board are on social media? Follow along for daily updates, milestones reached, reminders and resources.
You can find us on Twitter, Facebook, and YouTube.
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