Professional Educator Standards Board

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About the Professional Educator Standards Board

The Professional Educator Standards Board (PESB) consists of twelve-members appointed by the Governor, the majority of whom are practicing educators. PESB is responsible for policy and oversight of Washington’s system of educator preparation, certification, continuing education, and assignment (RCW). PESB works to advance educator workforce development and are responsive to educator shortage, continuing education and increasing the diversity of the workforce.

Purpose and roles:

To establish policies and requirements for the preparation and certification of education professionals, ensuring that they:

  • Are competent in the professional knowledge and practice for which they are certified.
  • Have a foundation of skills, knowledge, and attitudes necessary to help students with diverse needs, abilities, cultural experiences, and learning styles meet or exceed the state learning goals.
  • Are committed to research-based practice and career-long professional development.

PESB also serves as an advisory body to the Superintendent of Public Instruction on issues related to educator recruitment, hiring, mentoring and support, professional growth, retention, evaluation, and revocation and suspension of licensure .

PESB fulfills several roles in Washington’s educational system:

  • Policymaker: regulatory policy-making and oversight of Washington’s system of educator preparation, certification, continuing education and assignment.
  • Program implementer: operation of legislatively-mandated programs.
  • Advocate: advocacy for mission-related policy, programs, and resources for students and educators.
  • Advisor: strategic advice and guidance to the Governor, the Legislature, and the Superintendent of Public Instruction on issues affecting certified educators.

Become a Board member