PARAEDUCATOR BOARD NEWSLETTER
FROM THE JULY BOARD MEETING
The Board recently held its July 25 meeting in SeaTac, WA and approved or adopted many important policies.
A reminder that background information and presentation materials for this meeting are on our website.
In July, the Board:
- Approved the full adoption of WAC Title 179, which establishes clarifying rules for the implementation of the paraeducator certificate program - Tab 6;
- Motioned to recommend that a paraeducator may complete one Professional Growth Plan (PGP) to attain the General Paraeducator Certificate, and complete PGPs to renew the Subject Matter Certificate - Tab 9;
- Motioned to approve the number of hours required to renew the Subject Matter Certificates (20) and the Advanced Paraeducator Certificate (30), and that paraeducator certificates may be renewed with valid WA state educator certificates (some exceptions apply) - Tab 10;
- Motioned to delay the determination of substitute paraeducator requirements until after January 2019 - Tab 11;
- Motioned, after initial consideration, to move forward with final adoption of WAC 179-01-040 during the September Board meeting - Tab 13;
Annotated actions provide Board response to
agenda items. Official minutes will be reviewed and acted upon at the next Board meeting, September 26.
NOW AVAILABLE: ONLINE TRAINING FOR TEACHERS AND ADMINISTRATORS WHO WORK WITH PARAEDUCATORS
OSPI, in consultation with the Paraeducator Board, created online
training modules for teachers and administrators working with paraeducators.
These modules include training for teachers on how to direct a paraeducator
working with students in the classroom, and for administrators on how to
supervise and evaluate paraeducators. To view this free training, visit OSPI's
Learning Space catalog.
ETS PARAPRO RESOURCE PAGE
Taking or administering the ETS ParaPro Assessment? PESB staff have put together an online resource page to assist you. Along with general information and testing locations around Washington State, the page also includes information on study resources to help you to pass the test.
SHARE YOUR VIEWS ON CLOCK HOUR POLICY IN WA STATE - LAST CALL
The Professional Educator Standards
Board will be reviewing policy around clock hours in the upcoming year.
We are now preparing for this work
by surfacing the issues involved. We want to know what issues in clock hour
policy our stakeholders care about. The results of this survey will be used to
inform the upcoming policy review. We appreciate your input.
Take our clock hour survey.
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 have create a timeline of upcoming implementation dates. You may view the infographic online.
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. The first deadline to apply for this scholarship is September 1, 2018.
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 online.
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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