News

The Professional Educator Standards Board and Paraeducator Board met on July 15-17, 2026.

The next board meeting will be September 23-25 at the Spokane Tribe Resort & Casino in Airway Heights, WA. Upcoming board meeting information can be found on our website.

 

Agency Updates

PESB requests feedback on the draft legislative agenda for the 2027 session.

Read the legislative priorities here and then complete the survey. The survey deadline has been extended to August 14, 2026.

Priorities include: adding a Paraboard member to PESB; removing references to an outdated paraeducator workgroup; additional flexibility in the paraeducator training fund; and adding data evaluation and program review staff positions.

 

Joint Paraboard and PESB meeting

The July Paraboard and PESB joint meeting included a retreat with relationship-building exercises, shared protocol development, and an initial government-to-government relations training with Maxine Alex, Tribal Consultation Supervisor from OSPI’s Office of Native Education.

 

Paraeducator Board

Paraeducator Board members heard updates on the Academic Credit for Prior Learning project as well as the Fundamental Course of Study revamp. The FCS overhaul includes job-oriented curriculum, continuous access to on-demand content, and creates AI capabilities.

 

The Paraboard also approved new Bridge qualifying scale scores for ParaPathways Reading & Writing and Mathematics tests.

Read the full Paraboard meeting overview here.

 

Professional Educator Standards Board

PESB granted full approval to Pacific Lutheran University’s superintendent preparation program and to the Washington Education Association’s Apprenticeship Residency in Teaching (WEA-ART) program. Grays Harbor College‘s pre-proposal to offer a residency teacher preparation program was also approved, while Seattle Pacific University’s teacher preparation program curriculum and instruction review was moved to a future meeting.

 

Clock hour providers for the 2026-27 school year were approved, as was the final consideration of changes to WAC 181-78A-105. The WAC changes to initial approval for educator preparation programs will go into effect mid-August.

Read the full PESB meeting overview here.

 

 

The Professional Educator Standards Board and Paraeducator Board met on May 13-15, 2026. Below is a summary of discussion and action items from these meetings.

• Professional Educator Standards Board meeting materials are available here.
• Paraeducator Board meeting materials are available here.

Agency Updates

Legislative update (TAB A)

Staff presented potential agency priorities for the 2027 legislative session. A refined list of proposals will be presented at the next board meeting.

Executive director search advisory committee update (TAB B)

The advisory search committee updated the Board on the permanent executive director hiring process. In June, the committee plans to recommend candidates for the interview stage.

FutureReady graduation requirements initiative (TAB C)

Board members heard an update about the State Board of Education’s FutureReady initiative, which will update Washington state’s high school graduation requirements.

Recruiting Washington Teachers & Bilingual Educator Initiative update (TAB D)

Board members heard an update on the RWT and BEI programs. Staff plan to expand longer-term student outcome tracking and future educator leadership opportunities.

Government-to-government relations update (TAB E)

PESB’s Tribal liaison and director of policy updated the Boards on the agency’s work in government-to-government relations with Tribal nations. Staff will develop a Tribal consultation policy to bring to the Boards and coordinate a government-to-government training for board members at an upcoming meeting.

 

Paraeducator Board

Discussion Items

Update: fundamental course of study school year 2026-27 (TAB 02)

Staff provided an overview of RCW 28A.413, highlighting elements that are nearing a decade old and closely tied to workgroup recommendations from 2014. Paraeducator Board members indicated interest in pursuing agency request legislation to amend sections of the RCW as well as designating a seat on the Professional Educator Standards Board for a Paraeducator Board member.

Overview: academic credit for prior learning (ACPL) (TAB 03)

PESB staff provided updates on the Academic Credit for Prior Learning project, developed in partnership with the Washington Student Achievement Council and with technical assistance from the Council for Adult and Experiential Learning. PESB staff will convene six pilot sites for ACPL.

Update: paraeducator minimum employment and training requirements for Title I schools (TAB 04)

The Board received an update on federal Title I, Part A requirements for paraeducators.

Update: RCW changes (TAB 05)

The Board heard an update on the status of the review, how prior board feedback informs the process, and options for future clarification and input from partners.

 

Professional Educator Standards Board

Action Items

University of Washington-Tacoma residency school psychologist program initial review report (TAB 02)

The Board granted UW-T full approval, entering the program into the ongoing review cycle. The next review will align with their National Association of School Psychologists accreditation schedule.

Western Governors University (WGU) teacher program out-of-cycle review (TAB 03)

The Board moved the WGU teacher preparation program to limited approval and required a full site visit review of all domains.

Washington Association for Career and Technical Education (WA-ACTE) CTE administrator program initial review (TAB 04)

The Board granted WA-ACTE full approval, entering them into the ongoing review cycle. Their next site visit review will be in approximately six years.

Annual revisions and approval of assignment table (TAB 06)

The Board approved the new assignment table, effective beginning in the 2026-27 school year.

Initial consideration of WAC 181-82A-202 re: endorsement name changes (TAB 10)

The Board initially approved WAC amendments. Staff will bring amendments for final approval in July.

Initial consideration of WAC re: educational interpreter certification (TAB 11)

The Board initially approved WAC language for educational interpreter certification. Final consideration is expected in July.

Final consideration of 2026 data collection manual (TAB 13)

The Board approved updates to the 2026 educator preparation program data collection manual.  The Education Research and Data Center (ERDC) will update, publish, and distribute final documentation for the upcoming data collection year.

Final consideration of key performance indicators for teacher and principal preparation programs (TAB 14)

The Board approved updates to the key performance indicators for 2026. PESB staff will update and publish final indicator documentation for future reports.

Tabled action items

Final consideration of WAC 181-78A-105: procedures for initial approval of an educator preparation program (TAB 05)

Tab 05 was tabled until the July board meeting.

Final consideration HB 1296: superintendent willful noncompliance (TAB 12)

The Board tabled the vote to a future meeting to allow staff to consult with Tribes.

 

Discussion Items

Update: Western Washington University’s Education for Inclusive Environments Teacher Residency Program (EIE-TRP) (TAB 07)

The Board heard an overview of EIE-TRP’s structure and approach to special education teacher preparation. WWU will continue to implement its program and share lessons learned with other programs as residencies are formally established in Washington state.

Teacher preparation pathways landscape: context for residency WAC options (TAB 08)

The Board heard a presentation on the landscape of teacher preparation pathways in Washington state. Staff will draft two versions of WAC for the Board to consider in July.

Initial consideration English Language Arts (ELA) and Health/Fitness endorsements (TAB 09)

PESB staff presented the initial drafts of the newly updated ELA and Health/Fitness endorsements. Staff will use board and focus group feedback to refine the endorsements and bring them back to the Board in July.

The Professional Educator Standards Board (materials) and Paraeducator Board (materials) met last week in Tacoma, WA. Below is a summary of the discussion and action items the Boards considered at the November Board meeting.

AGENCY UPDATES

25th Anniversary

The Professional Educator Standards Board (PESB) celebrated 25 years of service to Washington State. This dual board-led agency has had a significant mission: to enhance educator quality. Over the past 25 years, the Board has obtained rulemaking authority, provided oversight for professional education, managed workforce development initiatives, and approved and regulated all preparation programs. Our vision remains steadfast as we continue this vital work: to strengthen the educator workforce by implementing initiatives that address shortages, reduce barriers in the profession, and increase workforce diversity.

Thank you to all who celebrated with us! A special thanks to Senator Wellman and Representative Santos for your presence and your thoughtful and inspiring remarks. An additional thank you to Larry Delaney (President, WEA) for sending in video remarks on PESB’s and WEA’s historical and ongoing collaboration.

Paraeducator Board and PESB legislative agenda update

Both Boards received an update on the plans for the upcoming 2026 legislative session, as well as an overview of the Hill Climb scheduled for January.

 

PROFESSIONAL EDUCATOR STANDARDS BOARD

ACTION ITEMS

Clark College teacher program initial review report (TAB 02)

The Board voted to give full approval to Clark College’s Teacher Program, after a presentation from staff on the initial review report. Congratulations to Clark College.

Literacy endorsement (TAB 04)

The Board gave final approval to the new Literacy endorsement competencies. A new assessment will be developed in 2026. Agency staff will present a webinar to the field at that time on the new aspects of the endorsement.

Assessment update and FLEX standard setting (TAB 09)

The Board reviewed requirements for the FLEX as a multiple-measure option and set the Standard Error of Measurement at -1. FLEX will be available in January 2026.

 

DISCUSSION ITEMS

Developing a model of limited approval (TAB 03)

PESB staff provided a second, further-developed presentation of potential models for limited approval for EPPs undergoing ongoing site visit reviews. Staff will take feedback from the Board to develop future tabs on models of limited approval and review results metrics.

PESB review staff: five-year plan (TAB 05)

PESB staff presented the work of the review staff that is slated for the next five years. More details are available in the Board materials.

Clock hour system data review (TAB 06)

The Board appreciated seeing the history and evolution of the clock hour system and data.

Indicator-based program review (IBPR) program results 2021-2024 (TAB 07)

Staff provided an update on the results of the Indicator-based Program Review for the last three years. Board members requested a stronger data system flag, recalculation of the assessment and hiring indicators, and further research and a report back on a PEAB compliance indicator.

Update: Alternative Routes Block Grant (TAB 08)

Staff presented an update on the 2025-26 implementation of the Alternative Routes Block Grant (ARBG), the findings from the 2024-25 annual ARBG program survey, and introduced the Developing Educator Workforce Grant.

Update on SB 5025: educational interpreter certification (TAB 10)

PESB staff provided an update on Senate Bill 5025, which directs the creation of certification for educational interpreters for the deaf and deaf-blind. The Board learned about the educational interpreter role, the EIPA performances assessment, a review of previous workgroup work, and discussed next steps for staff moving forward.

PARAEDUCATOR BOARD

DISCUSSION ITEMS

Update: Form Package 918 paraeducator training reimbursement (TAB 02)

Staff provided an update regarding preliminary data showing which Districts were reimbursed for the Paraeducator Training Program. Final data and survey results analysis will be provided at the January meeting.

Eligibility for reimbursement – Paraeducator Training Program (TAB 03)

The Board and staff discussed the definition of paraeducator, and specifically which paraeducator-labeled roles are eligible for reimbursement. Clarification to the nuances and clarifications raised will be provided to the Board, and then the field, in the coming months.

Update: Paraeducator Assessment (TAB 04)

The Board received a summary of the progress on staff efforts in developing a paraeducator assessment, including beginning on technology tools for administering and hosting, question review, and pilot development. Regular updates will be scheduled at future Board meetings.

Paraeducator Training Program (PTP): General Certificate overview (TAB 05)

Board and staff reviewed the standards of practice and discussed creating a draft ‘career pathways for paraeducators’ communications effort for the field.

This is a reminder that if your district is attempting to receive the Paraeducator Training Reimbursement funds in the September apportionment (optional early submission), districts must submit the FP 918 by 11:59 p.m. this Friday, August 29, 2025.

Thank you to the 59 school districts that have submitted early!

For the remaining districts, all reimbursement submissions must be completed by 11:59 pm on Tuesday, September 23, 2025. The applicable funds will be included in the October apportionment. Please reach out if your district may require an extension.

If your district is not claiming reimbursement, it must signify that in its submission – which is still required.

For information on how to submit, who in your district is the primary contact for FP 918, or other resources, visit our Paraeducator Training Reimbursement webpage.

 

The Paraeducator Board and the Professional Educator Standards Board (PESB) met virtually last week, on July 23 and 24, respectively. Below is a summary of the discussion and action items the Boards considered. For more information about the meetings, visit the Board Meeting webpage or contact PESB@k12.wa.us.

AGENCY UPDATES

Agency Budget and Legislative Agenda

The Boards received an update on the agency’s proposed budget for fiscal year 2026 (FY26). Members asked clarifying questions about the proposed budget. In September 2025, the Boards will have an opportunity to finalize the agency’s FY26 budget (Tab 02 (Paraboard) and Tab 02 (PESB)).

The Boards also engaged in a discussion regarding plans for the upcoming 2026 legislative session. Members heard about one (1) policy proposal and two (2) budget requests that the agency may submit to the Governor’s Office and Legislature. This includes:

• Policy proposal to amend approval processes to streamline PESB’s oversight of programs.
• Funding request to support interstate teacher mobility compact implementation.
• Funding request to support administrative needs of the agency.

Both Boards indicated support for the agenda items. Staff will move forward with preparing the decision packages and request legislation in consultation with the Joint Legislative Committee (Tab 09 (Paraboard) and Tab 11 (PESB)).

Boards’ Bylaws and Executive Committee

Both Boards reviewed their respective bylaws and elected their executive committee members for the coming year. The PESB indicated an interest in convening a small group to plan for a joint Board retreat. The Board elected the following members to sit on the executive committee: Adam Aguilera, Alejandro Castro-Wilson, Amy Campbell, and Dr. Nicole Talbert (Tabs 12 and 13).

Similarly, the Paraboard reviewed their bylaws; members shared that they would like to prioritize an annual retreat and in-person relationship building among members. The board elected the following members to sit on the executive committee: Pamella Johnson, Doug Pace, and Lindsay Lightner. The Board will hold a vote in the coming months to select a designated vice-chair (Tabs 07 and 08).

PROFESSIONAL EDUCATOR STANDARDS BOARD

ACTION ITEMS

Peninsula College: Full Proposal to Offer a Residency Teacher Program

The Board approved Peninsula College to offer a teacher preparation program. They plan to begin instruction in fall 2025 (Tab 03).

Potential Pause to Implement Approval Process and Forms Revisions

The Board decided that there would be no pause on processing new readiness profiles for EPPs. The current pause on accepting new NOI’s from teacher preparation programs expires August 31, 2025. Staff will continue to work with the Board sub-committee on revising the approval process and the approval forms (Tab 04) .

Initial Consideration: Curriculum and Instruction (C&I) Review (WAC 181-78A-100)

The Board approved the amendments to WAC 181-78A-100, aligning C&I WAC language with other role standard WAC language. Staff will submit final WAC amendment paperwork, continuing to reflect this information in program orientations (Tab 05).

Final Consideration: Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP) Standards Update (WAC 181-78A-225)

The Board approved the amendments to WAC 181-78A-225, updating the WAC requirements for school counseling programs to align with the new 2024 CACREP standards. Staff will submit final WAC amendment paperwork, communicating this to programs (Tab 06).

Final Consideration: Activity-based clock hour equivalents for review teams and Professional Educator Advisory Boards (PEABs) (WAC 181-85-033)

The Board approved the amendments to WAC 181-85-033, providing clock hour equivalents for review team members (25) and PEAB members (10). Staff will submit final WAC amendment paperwork and will communicate this to programs and review team members, including past participants (Tab 07).

Initial Consideration: Clock Hour Policy Clean-Up (WAC 181-85)

The Board initially approved amendments to WAC 181-85 to clarify and continue aligning WAC language with 2ESHB 1377 (2024) regarding the clock hour system and continuing education for educators (Tab 10).

DISCUSSION ITEMS

Update on E4SHB 1239: Ethics Report and Recommendations

The Board heard from staff about a report due to the Legislature in September 2025. In 2024, the PESB and the Paraboard were directed to develop a legislative report discussing activities and recommendations regarding an educator code of ethics (E4SHB 1239, 2024). Staff provided an overview of this report to the Board, including the early recommendations of partner and stakeholder engagement to ensure alignment with state goals and legislative intent. Members will have the opportunity to view and approve the final report in September 2025 (Tab 08 (PESB) and Tab 06 (Paraboard)).

* The Paraeducator Board also received the same presentation separately. Paraboard members requested that staff prioritize meeting with stakeholders and partners, including labor groups and others, to discuss the report and finalize the report’s recommendations.

Endorsement Competencies: History and Review Process

Staff provided an update on current efforts and future plans to update endorsement competencies, beginning with literacy-related endorsements. The Board provided feedback to staff, suggesting that PESB review a combination of “Test Only” and “Program+Test” endorsements each year. The Board also suggested considering programs that offer multiple endorsements, particularly how they may be affected by having multiple endorsements to update simultaneously, as the Board makes updates (Tab 09).

PARAEDUCATOR BOARD

DISCUSSION ITEMS

Fundamental Course of Study (FCS) District Guidance

The Paraboard reviewed the “Fundamental Course of Study: Best Practice Implementation Guide” prepared by staff. The Board was directed by the Legislature to develop guidance for districts to support the implementation of the Fundamental Course of Study to ensure the consistency and quality of paraeducator development (ESHB 1277, 2024). Members provided feedback to staff on the guidance to ensure it reflects the needs of all paraeducators and that the information is conveyed clearly to the intended audiences. The Board also expressed interest in adding a ‘note from the Paraboard’ as a part of the materials (Tab 03).

Exemptions From the Fundamental Course of Study (FCS) In-Person Requirement and Equivalency Protocol

Staff provided a presentation detailing proposed plans to allow exemptions from the in-person FCS training requirement for paraeducators hired after the beginning of the school year within small districts (defined in RCW as districts with fewer than 2000 enrolled students), geographic isolation, public health emergencies, facility constraints, staffing shortages, and personal emergencies/leave (Tab 04).

Updating Paraeducator Training Materials: Request for Proposal (RFP)

The Board received a presentation on a request for proposal (RFP) to identify a provider(s) to update paraeducator training materials and modules. The intent is that the updating and refining of these materials will allow for greater access to quality and consistent professional learning for all paraeducators in the state, while also allowing for greater ease of implementation for those administering paraeducator training. The Board will receive a follow-up presentation about this RFP process in September 2025 (Tab 05).

Agency staff of the Paraeducator Board published an updated Fundamental Course of Study (FCS) Implementation Guide. In this helpful best-practices information, you can find:

• What is the district’s responsibility?
• Training requirements and timelines
• Recommended resources and more

The Paraeductor Board will review this initial update at its July Board meeting, and a final version with any updates will be sent out by the end of the month.

Provided at the top of the guide is the ‘updated version date’ for reference.

 

For questions about the FCS Implementation Guide, please contact:

Dr. K.O. Wilson at ko.wilson@k12.wa.us