March 22, 2021
The Professional Educator Standards Board (PESB) is offering grants of up to $15,000 to strengthen educator retention through professional learning opportunities. Grantees will organize and support learning communities using competency-based professional growth plans (PGPs) in the 2021-22 school year.
Professional learning communities (PLCs) must include paraeducators and educators from populations that have been historically underrepresented and systematically excluded from the educator workforce. Each grantee must support a minimum of 20 educators completing PGPs.
View our informational packet to learn more about the grant.
Focus areas
Applicants will choose one of three areas to focus their learning community work and must include strategies to increase educator retention. Focus areas include:
- Community building
- Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics (STEM) integration
- A grantee specified area
Who may apply?
Washington State school districts, tribal schools, ESDs, approved clock hour providers, and higher education institutions are eligible to apply. If individual educators are interested in participating in this grant, they should communicate their interest to one of these organizations.
What is a PGP?
PGPs are job-embedded, self-directed professional development. With a PGP, educators set goals, align them to standards, design an action plan, collect evidence, and reflect on the process. PGPs for certificate renewal or used in the paraeducator certificate program are eligible for 25 clock hours. Learn more about PGPs on our website.
How do PGPs support educator retention?
PGPs can serve as an innovative retention strategy. Competency-based learning provides educators the opportunity to apply and demonstrate their skills in ways that differ from traditional professional development. This learning can inspire growth within the educator’s existing role or within the educator field.
How can grant funds be used?
Grant funds can be used for compensation, substitutes and release time, grant-related efforts, and programming.
When is the application due?
Grant applications are due by Tuesday, June 8, 2021. No extensions. View the application.
Attend an informational webinar
PESB will host an informational webinar on Thursday, April 1 at 1 p.m. to provide an overview of the application process for organizations interested in the grant. Register to attend.
Questions?
Contact information
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