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).
