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Austin Majors

Professional Growth Plans – Update

At its March 2018 regular meeting, the PESB set a completion date for annual Professional Growth Plans (PGP).

  • Only one PGP may be completed each year.
  • A year is defined as between July 1 of one year and June 30 of the following year.
  • Completion includes having another Washington state certified educator review the PGP.

PGPs are job-embedded, self-directed professional development. In a PGP, educators set their own goals, align them to certification standards, design an action plan, and then collect evidence documenting their growth towards achieving their goals. Educators then reflect on the process.

There is no cost to an educator for a PGP. Clock hours earned through a Professional Growth Plan may be eligible for salary advancement.

  • While PGPs are currently equivalent to 30 clock hours, PGPs will change equivalency to 25 clock hours beginning 7/01/18.
  • STEM and TPEP Requirements for certificate renewal may be met through PGPs.
  • PGPs may be completed by teachers, administrators, and ESAs.

What does an educator need to do?

  1. Complete the PGP template (PDF)
  2. Attach evidence from a focused evaluation, PLC, or project.
  3. Have a certificated educator in Washington state review and sign.
  4. Turn in the Annual PGP Verification form (PDF) to the HR office for possible salary advancement, AND record in OSPI e-certification for certificate renewal.

This updated one page flyer for educators on PGPs (Document) may be helpful for posting and / or distribution to inform educators.

STEM Certificate Renewal Requirement – Update

At its March 2018 regular meeting, the PESB established a list of specific endorsements subject to the STEM certificate renewal requirement.

Beginning on September 1, 2019, renewal applications for residency, professional, and continuing teacher and CTE certificates must document completion of at least 15 clock hours, or at least one goal from an annual professional growth plan (PGP), with an emphasis on STEM integration to meet this renewal requirement.

STEM integration is the authentic combination of at least two of the STEM components (science, technology, engineering, mathematics). The requirement applies to the following currently offered STEM area endorsements:

  • Computer Science
  • CTE (All Areas)
  • Designated Sciences: Biology, Chemistry, Earth & Space Science; Physics
  • Early Childhood Education
  • Elementary Education
  • Mathematics; Middle Level Mathematics
  • Science; Middle Level Science

For a list of endorsements no longer offered (but which may be held by current educators), and whether or not these endorsements are subject to the STEM certificate renewal requirement, please see the Stem Endorsement Areas (Sheet) list.

The STEM certificate renewal requirement is considered to be met by holders of a valid National Board Certificate.

For more information, please visit the STEM Renewal Requirement page on our website.

Renewal of a Washington Certificate with a Certificate Issued by the NBPTS, NASP, or ASHA

At its March 2018, the PESB made the decision to add the option of using a valid certificate issued by the NBPTS, NASP, or ASHA to be presented in place of the clock hour requirement for renewal of residency, professional, and continuing certificates, in the roles of teacher, administrator, and ESA.

This option is added to those currently in place for teachers, administrators, and ESAs holding residency, professional, or continuing certificates to renew a certificate, as follows:

  • 100 clock hours or the equivalent in college credit,
  • Or, by completing four annual PGPs during the five-year validity date of the certificate,
  • Or, by combining completed PGPs with clock hours for a total of 100 hours. (e.g. 3 PGPs + 25 CH = 100 CH),
  • Or, a valid National Board Certificate issued by the NBPTS; or a valid NCSP issued by the NASP; or a valid CCC issued by ASHA.

Holders of certificates in multiple roles (for example, teacher and principal; or teacher and ESA) may also renew with one of the above options.

Certain certificates have role specific renewal provisions. Please see http://www.k12.wa.us/certification/ for details.

The following documents may be helpful in updating staff:

Note acronym definition:

  • NBCT: National Board Certified Teacher (issued by NBPTS)
    • NBPTS: National Board for Professional Teaching Standards
  • NCSP: Nationally Certified School Psychologist (issued by NASP)
    • NASP: National Association of School Psychologists
  • CCC: Certificate of Clinical Competence (issued by ASHA)
    • ASHA: American Speech Hearing Association