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There are many ways to become a teacher in Washington, and the pathway you choose will depend on your educational background, learning preferences, and professional experience.
Teachwa.org, a website to help future teachers navigate their journey into the classroom, is now available to help you better understand your options. Teachwa.org provides information on pathways into the profession, financial aid options, and an overview of the certification process.
Read our announcement.
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On January 21, board members participated in our annual hill climb - PESB's legislative advocacy day.
Hill climb is designed to strengthen relationships to facilitate effective policymaking, position board members and staff as resources on legislation and policy matters, and raise awareness for our legislative priorities. Throughout the day, board members conducted 26 virtual meetings with key lawmakers.
Hill Climb also provided an opportunity to release our new legislative agenda, which provides an overview of broad policy areas that we will continue to support based on the direction set by our two governing boards. View our legislative priorities.
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In 2020, PESB convened two workgroups to review state policy and ensure a coherent credentialing system for the eight different roles that exist among educators of the blind, visually impaired, and deaf. At the January meeting, board members were able to hear workgroup recommendations. The proposed policy changes maintain high standards, provide clarity, and increase access by reducing barriers to obtain or renew certain credentials.
Credentialing for educators of the blind workgroup recommendations
Recommendations included changes for an orientation and mobility educational staff associate (ESA) certificate, the teacher of the visually impaired endorsement, and the requirements for providers of Braille instruction.
Credentialing for educators of the deaf workgroup recommendations
Recommendations included changes to the deaf education endorsement and the CTE ASL interpreter specialty area. This workgroup also recommended that a focus group convene in the spring of 2021 to review requirements for educational interpreters for the deaf.
(WAC 181-77, 181-79A, 181-82, and 181-82A)
See workgroup recommendations and proposed WAC amendments.
Educators from out-of-state programs can receive permits allowing them to serve in their role while they complete Washington’s assessment requirements. However, due to COVID-19 health concerns, testing centers remain at reduced capacity to allow for social distancing, meaning it can be challenging for candidates to make appointments. To better support educators, PESB made policy changes extending the expiration dates of permits for one year. Educators do not need to take any action in order for their permits to be extended. (WAC 181-79A-118)
View meeting materials to learn more..
Washington State cannot afford to lose potential teachers who could bring a range of strengths and skills to the classroom, but are unable to become certified as a result of a one size fits all assessment policy. Multiple measures allow teacher preparation programs to recommend candidates for certification by reviewing alternative evidence for the edTPA. At the January meeting, board members reviewed data collected from preparation programs participating in the multiple measures pilot.
View meeting materials to learn more.
PESB and the OSPI Office of Professional Practice (OPP) convened a workgroup this past year to review the educator professional practice system. The Board made initial consideration for changes to the code of conduct including adding provisions on sexual grooming and social media, and introducing a new type of OPP action: a letter of concern. The letter of concern is a low-level intervention aimed at preventing future disciplinary action. The Board will be taking a final vote on these issues at the March meeting. (WAC 181-85, 181-86, 181-87, 181-88)
View meeting materials to learn more.
Educator preparation program standards are currently being clarified and reorganized. These changes are to ensure coherent policy but do not change the underlying policy itself. Standards specific to school psychologist and school counselor programs are being reviewed by workgroups this spring. (WAC 181-77, 181-77A, 181-78A, 181-79A, 181-80)
View meeting materials to learn more.
On January 20 and 21, the Paraeducator Board received presentations on a variety of topics, including but not limited to:
- “Implementing the Paraeducator Certificate Program” report overview and an update on the reimbursement process via iGrants 918 (tab 4)
- 2020 paraeducator survey results (tab 5)
- Enhancing the collection of paraeducator data (tab 6)
For a complete review of the board meeting, including summaries for each agenda item, please visit the meeting material folder.
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