|
|
August 12, 2020
This newsletter provides key updates and policy changes that were presented at the July board meeting. See additional actions and annotations from this meeting.
|
|
|
During the July meeting, board members were able to engage in constructive dialogue expressing support for, and approving, PESB's statement of solidarity with Black Lives Matter.
"The response to the homicide of George Floyd, including the unjust killings of Breonna Taylor, Tony McDade, David McAtee, Charleena Lyles, Manuel Ellis and too many others, has led to unrest across our nation. In our communities is a demand for change long overdue. We acknowledge the persistence of racial injustice as a painful reminder of how much work must still be done. Recent events call on us to reflect on the type of educational community our Black students and educators deserve, and the urgency to join our partners in action to transform that community into one that affirms and sustains the students and families we serve.
We will continue to support and advance initiatives that address inequities, disparities, and barriers within the overall educator preparation and workforce system. We will continue to grow to be better partners, to challenge inequitable policy, to listen, to elevate voices of the Black community, and to work in partnership every step of the way.
To further demonstrate our solidarity with the Black community, we will outline the ways in which our agency is actively taking steps to become an anti-racist organization."
View the entire statement.
|
|
|
Over the last several months, we’ve been meeting with a variety of partner organizations to share our strategic planning efforts and gather their input and insights. Building off of these meetings, our next step is to further engage our stakeholders and community members in a broader context. To do this, we are convening a series of virtual forums on September 2 to collect your feedback on the strategic plan’s draft components.
Our community forums on September 2nd will include one hour feedback sessions focusing on a specific area of the educator career continuum. Registration is limited, so please RSVP at your earliest convenience. The registration link will close on September 1.
Register to attend.
There is no limit on how many sessions you can register for, but you must register for each one individually. During these sessions, you will engage with PESB staff, board members, and community members in both small and large group settings to help inform PESB’s focus areas, goals, identify barriers, and guide future policy work as it relates to the career continuum area.
Visit our website to learn more.
At the July meeting, the Board approved a one year, multiple measures pilot to offer greater flexibility for educator candidates to meet the edTPA requirement. Candidates in all endorsement areas are eligible. This pilot will help to reduce barriers and allow for more equitable pathways into the teaching profession. Register for a webinar for preparation programs on Thursday, August 20 at 1:30 p.m.
Multiple measures pilot
This new policy allows teacher preparation programs to recommend candidates for certification through a multiple measures process. Programs will be able to use one or more measures as the basis for their review. Candidates who do not pass the edTPA may be eligible to demonstrate alternative evidence of effective performance as determined by the preparation program. The multiple measures process provides financial relief by eliminating the need for retake fees for these candidates.
At program discretion, candidates who have previously taken the edTPA may be eligible. Programs can choose not to participate in the pilot, and continue to require the regular edTPA passing score. View board meeting materials.
WAC 181-78A-340
Beginning in March 2020, the Professional Educator Standards Board issued several emergency rules to provide flexibility for educators during pandemic-related school closures. At the July meeting, the Board extended these rules into the upcoming school year.
-
Extension of expiration dates: Educators with permits expiring between July 1, 2019 and December 31, 2020 will be reissued for one additional year. WAC 181-79A-118
-
Waiving or reducing clinical practice and coursework: Through June 30, 2021, PESB allows teacher and administrator preparation programs to review a candidate’s course work, field experience, work experience, and alternative learning experience. Based on this review, the preparation program may then waive, or reduce in length, the clinical practice and course work if they determine the candidate has the required knowledge and skills. WAC 181-78A-027
-
Emergency certificates. Teacher preparation programs may recommend a candidate for an emergency certificate if the candidate has met all program completion requirements with the exception of one or more of the assessment requirements, including the edTPA, WEST-E, NES, or basic skills. Preparation programs may recommend a candidate for their first emergency certificate through June 30, 2021, and may recommend for a second emergency certificate through December 31, 2021. WAC 181-79A-228.
See meeting materials to learn more.
|
|
|
On July 15, the Paraeducator Board heard presentations and took action on several policies, including:
- Representatives from Highline and Peninsula school districts shared their approaches to implementing FCS training
- Outreach efforts and district feedback from online share fairs and interviews
- Informational overview on Recruiting Washington Teachers (RWT) and alternative routes to certification
For a complete review of the board meeting, including summaries for each agenda item, please visit the meeting material folder.
|
|
To support districts as they navigate traditional and virtual classroom options, the Paraeducator Board has issued an emergency rule providing greater flexibility to meet training requirements for paraeducators on the Fundamental Course of Study (FCS).
The FCS consists of 28 hours of training, seven of which are required to be provided in person. The new emergency rule allows districts to meet the in-person requirement if they provide training to paraeducators through a virtual format with an instructor that uses synchronous learning.
|
|
|
The CTE program review workgroup was tasked with developing recommendations related to CTE educator preparation, and CTE educator preparation programs.
At the July meeting, the Board adopted policy on the ongoing review of CTE administrator and business and industry route preparation programs.
Also in July, the Board made initial consideration of policy on the minimum number of hours required for field experience or practicum, and the composition of CTE Professional Educator Advisory Boards (PEABs).
The Professional Educator Standards Board (PESB) is offering grants of $15,000 to support educator retention through learning communities using professional growth plans (PGPs). Applications are due Wednesday, August 19.
Applicants select a focus area of remote learning or Social Emotional Learning (SEL). Priority will be given to grantees who are:
- Supporting educators from underrepresented groups
- Equipping educators to provide trauma-sensitive support to students from marginalized communities
- Creating learning communities that include paraeducators
Who should apply?
- Clock hour providers, Washington State school districts, tribal compact schools, ESDs, and higher education institutions. If individual educators are interested in participating in this grant, they should communicate their interest to one of these organizations.
Learn more and apply.
View meeting materials.
Special education pre-endorsement waivers allow a teacher to serve as a special education teacher without a special education endorsement, as long as they have completed a certain number of relevant credits.
This policy change will allow clock hours, as well as credits, to apply towards the waiver, providing more flexibility for educators and helping to address the special education teacher shortage.
This policy becomes effective in late August.
|
|
|
The Legislature requires all PESB-approved teacher preparation programs to create a field placement plan, describing how they will partner with school districts for field placement of teacher candidates.
Programs must submit their plans to PESB by July 1, 2020, and every even numbered year thereafter.
- September 24-25 | virtual meeting
- November 5-6 | TBD
- January 21-22, 2021 | TBD
|
|
All PESB-approved educator preparation programs, regardless of organization type, can now apply to serve as a clock hour provider. Preparation programs will still need to complete the application process, and meet all other clock hour requirements.
This policy becomes effective in late August.
|
|
|
|
|
