| January 31, 2020
As we cross over the halfway mark for the first year of the certificate program, we are in the process of hearing district’s experiences, lessons learned, challenges, and successes with program implementation. To do this, we are contacting every school district and learning how you are implementing the Fundamental Course of Study (FCS) for your paraeducators this year. So far, we have called over 160 districts, which is over the halfway mark. If you are the FCS implementation lead for your district and you have not yet scheduled a call with us, please email Zoe Hammes-Hefti. We will use your feedback to notify the Paraeducator Board and the Legislature on the successes and challenges to program implementation.
Paraeducators, we want to hear from you as well. If you would like to share your experience on the FCS training, please complete our online form.
On January 15, the Paraeducator Board heard presentations and took action on several policies, including:
- Amending WAC to include Social and Emotional Learning (SEL) standards to the paraeducator standards of practice. Beginning February 1, 2020, the FCS must include SEL training. The online course, “Paraeducators: what we do matters”, has been updated to include the new standards.
- Listening to representatives from Pioneer, Steilacoom, and Tukwila school districts on their approaches to implementing the FCS.
- Receiving a presentation from an Auburn school district paraeducator who shared her perspectives on the FCS training.
- Hearing from a PSE representative on how the union will provide training on the FCS.
- A presentation on data collected from school district phone calls.
For a complete review of the board meeting, including summaries for each agenda item, please visit the meetings material folder.
The Paraeducator Board approved adding Social and Emotional Learning standards to the paraeducator standards of practice. Beginning February 1, 2020, training to complete the FCS must include these new standards. The paraeducator standards of practice, the Fundamental Course of Study outline and the online course “Paraeducators: what we do matters” are updated to reflect this. Read our announcement to learn more.
Resources
For school district administrators: an iGrants manual and informational video have been created to help navigate reporting requirements for iGrants form package 918. More information on iGrants 918, including a preliminary reimbursement rate, can be found on our website.
Upcoming iGrants deadlines:
- Quarter 2 deadline: February 3, 2020
- Quarter 3 deadline: May 4, 2020
- Final deadline: September 1, 2020
Since December 2019, we have been asking school districts to submit their FCS curriculum materials to us. On February 7, a workgroup will convene to review these materials. Our goal is to create and provide powerpoints and facilitator guides on the FCS units that can be used as a foundation for training for all school districts. We anticipate sharing this new resource to school districts in Spring 2020. If your district has not already submitted your materials, we ask you to please send them to Zoe Hammes-Hefti.
We are hosting a webinar on February 27 at 4 p.m. During this webinar, we will answer questions about the new SEL standards, provide a legislative update, and discuss training requirements for the next school year. All are welcome to attend this webinar.
Register to attend.
We are here to answer your questions. We recently presented on the Paraeducator Certificate Program at a regional Washington School Personnel Association (WSPA) meeting. These types of presentations are an effective way to meet and answer any outstanding questions your organization may have. We are eager to present, either in person or via webinar, to your group or association on the certificate program, legislative updates concerning the program, or answer any questions you may have on the program. Contact Zoe Hammes-Hefti if you are interested in having us present at your next meeting.
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