Frequently Asked Questions -
Professional Certificate Portfolio of Evidence
General Assessment Information
When does the assessment go into effect?
The timeline to pilot and transition to the ProCert Portfolio of Evidence Assessment for teachers is outlined below. Essentially, it allows individuals currently enrolled in programs to finish under current requirements as long as they do so by August 31, 2011.
Prior to January 1, 2010, candidates pursuing the professional certificate will submit a portfolio to the Professional Educator Standards Board approved professional certificate program (this is the process currently in place).
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Between January 1, 2010 and September 1, 2011, candidates pursuing the professional certificate will have two options:
a) Submit a portfolio for evaluation to the college or university professional certificate program. The college or university has until December 31, 2011, to verify completion.
b) Submit a portfolio for evaluation to the uniform and external portfolio of evidence assessment as administered by the Professional Educator Standards Board.
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After September 1, 2011, candidates pursuing the professional certificate must submit a portfolio for evaluation to the uniform and external portfolio of evidence assessment as administered by the Professional Educator Standards Board.
How far along is the development process?
The PESB and OSPI are currently working with a consultant who is facilitating a team of Washington educators to develop the assessment. The team is comprised of three higher education program administrators and seven teachers who have earned either their ProCert or National Board certificate.
The development team is currently working with the consultant to develop the assessment’s three entries and respective scoring rubrics. A small-scale tryout of the entries has been conducted. Following possible revision, the entries will go out in large-scale pilot testing with up to 300 participants in early June 2009. This pilot is a crucial step in the development process. It will field test the assessment before the full-scale implementation scheduled for January, 2010.
Will teachers who already have a Professional Certificate be required to resubmit a portfolio?
No.
Will teachers enrolled in the Culminating Seminar in Spring/Summer 2009 be required to submit portfolios for external scoring?
No. However, teachers from this cohort are invited to submit their portfolios for the large-scale pilot testing.
What if I have never attended a ProCert program? Will I earn my professional certification if I pass the pilot testing?
Notice to teacher candidates for the professional certificate who have not attended a university or college program:
Today (May 20, 2009), the Professional Educator Standards Board approved Emergency WAC 181-79A-145 (b) that states: "Teacher professional certificate portfolio of evidence assessment pilot participants who have two years of consecutive teaching experience as specified in WAC 181-79A-145 2 (b) and who have not attended a program but receive a "met criteria" on all entries submitted to the pilot assessment would receive the professional certificate and not be required to attend a program." In other words, passing the assessment as a pilot participant will fulfill the requirement for demonstrating the standards and criteria for the Washington's Professional Certificate.*
* Note: Results from the pilot assessment will not be reported until late July 2010. If your certificate expires in June 2010, contact the OSPI Certification Office at cert@k12.wa.us or 360-725-6400 regarding a possible extension.
An additional requirement regarding course work or in-service on issues of abuse does exist for the attainment of the professional certificate. You may have met the requirement through attainment of your residency certificate. Please check to be certain. WAC 181-79A-206 3 (b) states: “Candidates who apply for a professional certificate who have not successfully completed course work or an in-service program on issues of abuse, must complete the abuse course work requirement as defined in WAC 181-79A-030(6).”
Please also view OSPI's Professional Certificate Question and Answers - May 11, 2009 for information regarding new ways to earn the professional certificate.
Will I have to attend a university professional certificate program if I don’t receive a pass from the pilot testing?
No, you could resubmit to the Portfolio of Evidence Assessment for a fee after it is implemented on January 1, 2010.
As of the close of the 2009 legislative session, university support has become optional. The Legislature passed ESHB 2216; however, it is not yet signed by the Governor. It states: “Beginning not earlier than September 1, 2011, award of the professional certificate shall be based on a minimum of two years of successful teaching experience as defined by the board and on the results of the evaluation authorized under RCW 28A.410.210 (14) and under this section, and may not required candidates to enroll in a professional certification program.”
Because the Legislature directed the professional certificate external assessment to be implemented on January 1, 2010, candidates will have a choice of where to submit their portfolio for evaluation between the time period of 1/1/10 and 9/1/11. In July 2008, the PESB adopted the following WAC (181-79A-206):
Between January 1, 2010, and September 1, 2011, candidates pursuing the professional certificate will have two options:
- Submit a portfolio for evaluation to the college or university professional certificate program. The college or university has until December 31, 2011, to verify completion.
- Submit a portfolio for evaluation to the uniform and external portfolio of evidence assessment as administered by the PESB.
After September 1, 2011, candidates pursuing the professional certificate must submit a portfolio for evaluation to the uniform and external portfolio of evidence assessment as administered by the PESB.
Will the ProCert candidate pay a fee to have the portfolio externally scored when the assessment is implemented?
Yes. However, it is likely the overall program design will change in a way that reduces the costs of pursuing the professional certificate.
For other questions, send an email to: PESBAssessment@k12.wa.us
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