PROFESSIONAL EDUCATOR

[Filed March 27, 2025, 9:52 a.m.]

Preproposal statement of inquiry was filed as WSR 24-24-004.

Title of Rule and Other Identifying Information: WAC 181-82A-204 updating endorsement policy.

Hearing Location(s): On May 22, 2025, at 8 a.m., in Pasco, Washington. Exact meeting location and a link to listen to the meeting virtually will be available several weeks prior to the meeting. More information regarding this can be found on our website at https://www.pesb.wa.gov/about-us/board-meetings/.

Date of Intended Adoption: May 22, 2025.

Submit Written Comments to: Professional Educator Standards Board (PESB), P.O. Box 47236, 600 Washington Street S.E., Olympia, WA 98504-7236, email pesb@k12.wa.us, by 8 a.m., Monday, May 19, 2025.

Assistance for Persons with Disabilities: Contact PESB, phone 360-725-6275, email pesb.k12.wa.us, by Thursday, May 8, 2025.

Purpose of the Proposal and Its Anticipated Effects, Including Any Changes in Existing Rules: Amend rules to allow for adding endorsement by holding an endorsement issued by another state in the equivalent endorsement area.

Reasons Supporting Proposal: Update policy for adding endorsements for candidates utilizing out-of-state programs.

Statutory Authority for Adoption: Chapter 28A.410 RCW.

Statute Being Implemented: Chapter 28A.410 RCW.

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

Name of Proponent: PESB, governmental.

Name of Agency Personnel Responsible for Drafting: Michael Nguyen, P.O. Box 47236, 600 Washington Street S.E., Olympia, WA 98504-7236, 360-489-4471; Implementation: Jeffrey Youde, P.O. Box 47236, 600 Washington Street S.E., Olympia, WA 98504-7236, 360-870-0143; and Enforcement: Erica Hernandez-Scott, P.O. Box 47236, 600 Washington Street S.E., Olympia, WA 98504-7236, 360-890-2443.

A school district fiscal impact statement is not required under RCW 28A.305.135.

A cost-benefit analysis is not required under RCW 34.05.328.

This rule proposal, or portions of the proposal, is exempt from requirements of the Regulatory Fairness Act because the proposal:

Is exempt under RCW 19.85.025(3) as the rules adopt, amend, or repeal a procedure, practice, or requirement relating to agency hearings; or a filing or related process requirement for applying to an agency for a license or permit.

Scope of exemption for rule proposal:

AMENDATORY SECTION(Amending WSR 21-08-024, filed 3/29/21, effective 4/29/21)

WAC 181-82A-204Endorsement requirements.

(1) Completing an endorsement with a residency certificate. Candidates completing endorsements required to obtain a residency certificate shall complete teacher preparation programs approved by the professional educator standards board under chapter 181-78A WAC, which include methodology, field experience, and endorsement program approval requirements in this chapter.

(2) Adding additional endorsements. In order to add an additional endorsement, the candidate shall meet one or more of the following:

(a) Have completed a state-approved endorsement program which includes methodology and addresses all endorsement-specific competencies adopted and published by the professional educator standards board. The requirement for field experience shall be at the discretion of the program provider. In cases where providers require field experience the provider should make every attempt to allow the individual to complete field-based requirements for the endorsement within the confines of the individual's teaching schedule. The candidate shall also meet the content knowledge assessment requirement under chapter 181-02 WAC; or

(b) Achieve National Board certification in a Washington teaching endorsement area and hold a valid National Board certificate; or

(c) Pass the content knowledge test approved by the professional educator standards board for the certificate endorsement being sought per the list of test only endorsements adopted and published by the professional educator standards board.

(3) Out-of-state. Candidates from out-of-state shall be required to present verification ((that they completed))of one or more of the following:

(a) Completion of a state-approved program (equivalent to a major) in a Washington endorsement area; or

(b) Hold an endorsement issued by another state in a Washington endorsement area.

(4) Deaf education. Obtaining the deaf education endorsement requires one or more of the following:

(a) Completion of a state-approved program in deaf education, and meeting the content knowledge assessment requirement under chapter 181-02 WAC; or

(b) Completion of a program in deaf education approved by the council on education of the deaf, and meeting the content knowledge assessment requirement under chapter 181-02 WAC; or

(c) Baccalaureate degree or higher in deaf education from a program approved by the council on education of the deaf under RCW 28A.410.225, and the content knowledge assessment requirement under chapter 181-02 WAC.

(5) Deaf education with American sign language (ASL) proficiency endorsement. Obtaining the deaf education with ASL proficiency endorsement requires meeting the criteria in subsection (4) of this section, and in addition, meeting the ASL proficiency requirements for the endorsement as published by the professional educator standards board.

(6) Program specific requirements. Nothing within this chapter precludes a program provider from adopting additional requirements as conditions for recommendation for an endorsement by such provider to the superintendent of public instruction.