As the agency responsible for overseeing many of Washington’s educator workforce policies, PESB is uniquely positioned to hold preparation programs accountable for the ways in which they recruit, support, and prepare diverse and classroom-ready educators.
Overview
In July 2021, the PESB board approved adding a curriculum and instruction component to their ongoing review of teacher and principal preparation programs. We have designed the new review model to align with our existing review practices through a structure that programs will find manageable and meaningful. PESB is committed to prioritizing the following values while implementing and guiding the curriculum and instruction review process:
- Consistent expectations and high standards for preparation programs
- Program improvement and accountability
- Clear expectations and manageable timelines
- Educator and student success
Curriculum and instruction review for principal and teacher preparation programs will begin January 2023.
The new review model responds to several legislative changes surrounding educator preparation programs, including upholding social-emotional learning standards (2020), implementing culturally responsive pedagogical practices (2021), and prohibiting programs from using the edTPA as a state-required assessment (2021).
Does curriculum and instruction review replace the 27-month review and indicator-based ongoing review models?
No. Curriculum and instruction review is designed to complement and enhance the current program review structure, not replace it.
Goals
- Evaluate whether and to what degree teacher and principal preparation programs’ curriculum and instructional practices ensure that each candidate is prepared to model culturally responsive pedagogies aligned with the cultural competency, diversity, equity, and inclusion standards.
- Ensure each teacher candidate is prepared to implement the Since Time Immemorial curriculum.
- Ensure that each candidate is prepared to uphold social-emotional learning standards.
- Ensure that each candidate’s preparation and performance, in the classroom and in-field experiences, are aligned with inTASC teacher or NELP building-level administrator standards.
Structure and implementation
The curriculum and instruction review model will be consistent with the Board’s current review practices. However, unlike 27-month review and annual performance indicators which examine every domain, the curriculum and instruction review model will only focus on domains 2 and 6.
Review activities
PESB will provide preparation programs with additional guidance on how to participate in the new review process, including how to submit evidence on their curriculum and instructional practices.
- Programs will submit their required evidence into shared digital folders.
- A review team will analyze the evidence and conduct focused interviews with program faculty, program leaders, and other key personnel to gather information about curriculum and instructional practices focused on the specified program standards.
- The review team will then prepare a report describing the degree to which programs are meeting the specific standards.
- Programs will have the opportunity to speak to the report findings and respond to board members’ questions at a board meeting within six months of their review.
We will convene all meetings during the review process in a virtual format to reduce the costs and burdens associated with travel.
Contact information
- Jisu Ryu, Jisu.Ryu@k12.wa.us
- Sophia Keskey, Sophia.Keskey@k12.wa.us
