Original Notice.

     Preproposal statement of inquiry was filed as WSR 10-17-034.

     Title of Rule and Other Identifying Information: Amends WAC 181-79A-251 to change renewal requirements. Teachers will now submit a request for renewal directly through eCert on-line system. Corrects errors in section referencing social worker.

     Hearing Location(s): La Conner Country Inn, 107 South Second Street, La Conner, WA 98257, on March 8, 2012, at 8:30 a.m.

     Date of Intended Adoption: March 8, 2012.

     Submit Written Comments to: David Brenna, Legislative and Policy Coordinator, P.O. Box 47236, Olympia, WA 98504, e-mail david.brenna@k12.wa.us, fax (360) 586-4548, by March 1, 2012.

     Assistance for Persons with Disabilities: Contact David Brenna by March 1, 2012, TTY (360) 664-3631 or (360) 725-6238.

     Purpose of the Proposal and Its Anticipated Effects, Including Any Changes in Existing Rules: Currently, teachers request a renewal of the residency certificate by registering for the on-line, external assessment (Pro Teach). With the superintendent of public instruction certification office providing on-line teacher certification services, teacher[s] can now request the renewal at the same time through the new eCert system. Also, the change will edit out the reference to social worker following previous rule change to have the language consistent.

     Reasons Supporting Proposal: Changes in requirements supported in legislation.

     Statutory Authority for Adoption: RCW 28A.410.210.

     Statute Being Implemented: RCW 28A.410.270.

     Rule is not necessitated by federal law, federal or state court decision.

     Name of Proponent: Professional educators [educator] standards board, governmental.

     Name of Agency Personnel Responsible for Drafting, Implementation and Enforcement: David Brenna, P.O. Box 42736 [47236], Olympia, WA 98504, (360) 725-6238.

     No small business economic impact statement has been prepared under chapter 19.85 RCW. The proposed amendment does not have an impact on small business and therefore does not meet the requirements for a statement under RCW 19.85.030 (1) or (2).

     A cost-benefit analysis is required under RCW 34.05.328. A preliminary cost-benefit analysis may be obtained by contacting David Brenna, P.O. Box 47236, Olympia, WA 98504, phone (360) 725-6238, fax (360) 586-3631, e-mail david.brenna@k12.wa.us.

December 20, 2012

David Brenna

Legislative and

Policy Coordinator

OTS-4512.3

AMENDATORY SECTION(Amending WSR 10-16-124, filed 8/3/10, effective 9/3/10)

WAC 181-79A-251   Residency and professional certification.   Renewal and reinstatement.

     (1) Residency certificate. Residency certificates shall be renewed under one of the following options:

     (a) Teachers.

     (i) Prior to September 1, 2011, individuals who hold, or have held, a residency certificate and who qualify for enrollment in a professional certificate program pursuant to WAC 181-78A-535 (1)(a) may have the certificate renewed for one additional two-year period upon verification by the professional certificate administrator that the candidate is enrolled in a state approved professional certificate program or has registered for the professional certificate assessment under WAC 181-79A-206.

     (A) Individuals who hold, or have held, a residency certificate and who qualify for enrollment in a professional certificate program pursuant to WAC 181-78A-535 (1)(a) may have the certificate renewed for one additional two-year period upon verification by the professional certificate administrator that the candidate is enrolled in a state approved professional certificate program.

     (B) Individuals who hold a residency certificate that expires in 2010 or 2011 may have the certificate renewed for two years by registering for the external assessment pursuant to WAC 181-79A-206: Provided, That individuals who are unable to complete the professional certificate program by the expiration date on the two-year renewal who have not successfully completed the professional certificate program and enroll in the external assessment pursuant to WAC 181-79A-206 or taught for any portion of the nine years between employment and expiration date of the renewal can obtain an additional two-year renewal upon verification they had been unemployed during those years, been on a leave of absence or were unemployed due to a reduction in force.

     (ii) Beginning September 1, 2011, individuals who hold, or have held, residency certificates have three options for renewal past the first three-year certificate:

     (A) Candidates who have attempted and failed the professional certificate assessment are eligible for a two-year renewal;

     (B) Candidates who have not been employed or employed less than full-time as a teacher during the dated, three-year residency certificate may receive a two-year renewal by registering for the professional certificate assessment or may permit their certificate to lapse until such time they ((register)) submit an affidavit to the certification office confirming that they will register and submit a uniform assessment portfolio for the professional certificate assessment.

     (C) Candidates whose three-year residency certificate has lapsed may receive a two-year renewal by ((registering)) submitting an affidavit to the certification office confirming that they will register and submit a uniform assessment portfolio for the professional certificate assessment.

     (iii) A residency certificate expires after the first renewal if the candidate has taken no action to achieve the professional certificate, provided: When the first two-year renewal on residency certificates expires, teachers have two renewal options:

     (A) Teachers who were employed but failed the professional certification assessment, may receive a second two-year renewal;

     (B) Teachers who were unemployed or employed less than full-time during the first two-year renewal may permit their certificate to lapse and receive a second two-year renewal by ((registering)) submitting an affidavit to the certification office confirming that they will register and submit a uniform assessment portfolio for the professional certification assessment.

     (iv) An individual who completes a National Board Certification assessment but does not earn National Board Certification, may use that completed assessment to renew the residency certificate for two years in lieu of submitting an affidavit to the certification office confirming that they will register and submit the Washington uniform assessment portfolio as per this section, WAC 181-79A-251.

     (v) Teachers who hold expired residency certificates may be reinstated by having a district request, under WAC 181-79A-231, a transitional certification not less than five years following the final residency expiration: Provided, That the teacher registers and passes the professional certification assessment within two years.

     (vi) Teachers that hold a dated residency certificate prior to September 2011 that have expiration dates past September 2011 are subject to the same renewal options as described in (a)(ii) and (iii) of this subsection.

     (b) Principals/program administrators.

     (i) Individuals who hold, or have held, a residency certificate and who qualify for enrollment in a professional certificate program pursuant to WAC 181-78A-535 (2)(a) may have the certificate renewed for one additional two-year period upon verification by the professional certificate program administrator that the candidate is enrolled in a state approved professional certificate program.

     (ii) Individuals who hold, or have held, residency certificates who do not qualify for enrollment in a professional certificate program under WAC 181-78A-535 (2)(a) may have their residency certificates renewed for one additional five-year period by the completion of fifteen quarter credits (ten semester credits) of college credit course work, directly related to the current performance-based leadership standards as defined in WAC 181-78A-270 (2)(b) from a regionally accredited institution of higher education taken since the issuance of the residency certificate. Renewal beyond one time requires the completion of fifteen quarter credits (ten semester credits) directly related to the current performance-based leadership standards as defined in WAC 181-78A-270 (2)(b) plus an internship approved by a college or university with a professional educator standards board-approved residency certificate program and taken since the issuance of the last residency certificate.

     (c) School counselors((,)) and school psychologists((, or school social workers)).

     (i) Individuals who hold a residency certificate and who qualify for enrollment in a professional certificate program pursuant to WAC 181-78A-535(3) may have the certificate renewed for one additional two-year period upon verification by the professional certificate program administrator that the candidate is enrolled in a state approved professional certificate program.

     (ii) Individuals who hold, or have held, a residency certificate who do not qualify for admission to a professional certificate program under WAC 181-78A-535 (3)(a) may have their residency certificates renewed for one additional five-year period by the completion of fifteen quarter credits (ten semester credits) of college credit course work, directly related to the current performance-based standards as defined in WAC 181-78A-270 (5), (7), or (9) from a regionally accredited institution of higher education taken since the issuance of the residency certificate. Renewal for an additional five-year period requires the completion of fifteen quarter credits (ten semester credits) directly related to the current performance-based standards as defined in WAC 181-78A-270 (5), (7), or (9) completed since the issuance of the most recent residency certificate plus an internship approved by a college or university with a professional educator standards board-approved residency certificate program and taken since the issuance of the last residency certificate.

     (iii) An individual who completes a National Board Certification from the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards (NBPTS) assessment but does not earn National Board Certification may use that completed assessment to renew the residency certificate for two years.

     (2) Professional certificate.

     (a) Teachers.

     (i) A valid professional certificate may be renewed for additional five-year periods by the completion of one hundred fifty continuing education credit hours as defined in chapter 181-85 WAC or by completing the professional growth plan as defined in WAC 181-79A-030 until September 1, 2012. Beginning September 1, 2012, only the professional growth plan developed in collaboration with the professional growth team as defined in WAC 181-79A-030 is required for renewal. Individuals who complete the requirements of the annual professional growth plan to renew their professional certificate may use that completed plan to waive thirty hours of continuing education requirements for their professional teaching certificate. Until September 1, 2012, an expired professional certificate may be renewed for an additional five-year period by presenting evidence to the superintendent of public instruction of completing the continuing education credit hour requirement within the five years prior to the date of the renewal application. All continuing education credit hours shall relate to either (a)(i)(A) or (B) of this subsection: Provided, That both categories (a)(i)(A) and (B) of this subsection must be represented in the one hundred fifty continuing education credit hours required for renewal:

     (A) One or more of the following three standards outlined in WAC 181-78A-540:

     (I) Effective instruction.

     (II) Professional contributions.

     (III) Professional development.

     (B) One of the salary criteria specified in WAC 392-121-262.

     (I) Is consistent with a school-based plan for mastery of student learning goals as referenced in WAC 329-121-262, the annual school performance report, for the school in which the individual is assigned;

     (II) Pertains to the individual's current assignment or expected assignment for the subsequent school year;

     (III) Is necessary to obtain an endorsement as prescribed by the professional educator standards board;

     (IV) Is specifically required to obtain advanced levels of certification; or

     (V) Is included in a college or university degree program that pertains to the individual's current assignment, or potential future assignment, as a certified instructional staff.

     (ii) Provided, That a professional certificate may be renewed based on the possession of a valid teaching certificate issued by the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards at the time of application for the renewal of the professional certificate. Such renewal shall be valid for five years or until the expiration of the National Board Certificate, whichever is greater.

     (b) Principals/program administrators.

     (i) A professional certificate may be renewed for additional five-year periods for individuals employed as a principal, assistant principal or program administrator in a public school or state board of education-approved private school by:

     (A) Completion of a professional growth plan that is developed and approved with the superintendent, superintendent designee, or appointed representative (e.g., educational service district personnel, professional association or organization staff, or peer from another district), and that documents formalized learning opportunities and professional development activities that:

     (I) Emphasize continuous learning;

     (II) Positively impact student learning;

     (III) Relate to the six standards and "career level" benchmarks defined in WAC 181-78A-270 (2)(b);

     (IV) Explicitly connect to the evaluation process;

     (V) Reflect contributions to the school, district, and greater professional community; and

     (VI) Identify areas in which knowledge and skills need to be enhanced.

     (B) Documented evidence of results of the professional growth plan on student learning.

     (ii) Individuals not employed as a principal, assistant principal, or program administrator in a public school or state board of education-approved private school may have their professional certificate renewed for one additional five-year period by the completion of fifteen quarter credits (ten semester credits) of college credit course work directly related to the current performance-based leadership standards as defined in WAC 181-78A-270 (2)(b) from a regionally accredited institution of higher education taken since the issuance of the professional certificate. Renewal beyond one time requires the completion of fifteen quarter credits (ten semester credits) directly related to the current performance-based leadership standards as defined in WAC 181-78A-270 (2)(b) plus an internship approved by a college or university with a professional educator standards board-approved professional certificate program, and taken since the issuance of the last professional certificate.

     (c) School counselors, school psychologists, or school social workers.

     (i) A professional certificate may be renewed for additional five-year periods for individuals employed as a school counselor, school psychologist, or school social worker in a public school, state board of education-approved private school, or in a state agency which provides educational services to students by:

     (A) Completion of a professional growth plan that is developed and approved with the principal or principal designee, and that documents formalized learning opportunities and professional development activities that:

     (I) Emphasize continuous learning;

     (II) Positively impact student learning; and

     (III) Reflect contributions to the school, district, and greater professional community; or

     (B) Completion of one hundred fifty continuing education credit hours as defined in chapter 181-85 WAC since the certificate was issued and which relate to the current performance-based standards as defined in WAC 181-78A-270 (5), (7), or (9).

     (ii) Individuals not employed as a school counselor, school psychologist, or a school social worker in a public school or state board of education-approved private school may have their professional certificate renewed for an additional five-year period by:

     (A) Completion of fifteen quarter credits (ten semester credits) of college credit course work directly related to the current performance-based standards as defined in WAC 181-78A-270 (5), (7), or (9) from a regionally accredited institution of higher education taken since the issuance of the professional certificate; or

     (B) Completion of one hundred fifty continuing education credit hours as defined in chapter 181-85 WAC since the certificate was issued and which relate to the current performance-based standards as defined in WAC 181-78A-270 (5), (7), or (9); or

     (C) Provided, That a school counselor professional certificate may be renewed based on the possession of a valid school counselor certificate issued by the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards at the time of application for the renewal of the professional certificate. Such renewal shall be valid for five years or until the expiration of the National Board Certificate, whichever is greater.

[Statutory Authority: RCW 28A.410.210. 10-16-124, § 181-79A-251, filed 8/3/10, effective 9/3/10.]

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