Case-by-case exceptions available for content knowledge assessments

Washington Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction sent this bulletin at 11/10/2020 09:45 AM PST

November 10, 2020

Case-by-case exceptions now available for content knowledge assessments

At the November 2020 meeting, the Professional Educator Standards Board (PESB) approved a case-by-case exception process for educators who do not pass the content knowledge assessment; a policy that will become effective in late December 2020. View the meeting materials.

Since 2005, Washington’s educator candidates have been required to pass a content knowledge assessment for the endorsement area they intend to teach in order to become certified. While demonstrating content knowledge is an important step in the preparation of educators, the assessment has raised serious concerns about the disproportionate testing outcomes experienced between candidates of color and white candidates.

Recognizing that diverse teachers play a crucial role in providing an equitable education system, this new exception process provides flexibility to better support candidates as they work to meet assessment requirements.

This exception process will help reduce barriers, allow for more equitable pathways into the teaching profession, and provides a community-based review process with a diversity, equity and inclusion framework. Teacher candidates interested in being considered for a case-by-case exception should contact their preparation programs directly.

Educator spotlight

"With this [policy], I will be granted the opportunity to not let a test define if I am qualified to be a teacher. I can show in other ways that I know these content areas, and prove that I am a good teacher and qualified
to do so."

-Alex Castro-Wilson

Overview of the case-by-case exception process

Candidates must take the content knowledge assessment once in order to be eligible
Candidates adding an endorsement on a test-only basis are not eligible for a case-by-case exception
Candidates must meet all other requirements in order to be recommended for certification
Preparation programs must follow review committee and alternative evidence requirements

Diversity, equity, and inclusion review framework

Candidates bring diverse assets to the classroom and the case-by-case exception process allows these diverse assets to be recognized. PESB has released guidance for programs which includes prompts to frame review committee members’ thinking as they consider and determine whether or not the candidate is eligible for a case-by-case exception using alternative evidence.

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