Certification standards and renewal

• Teacher
• Principal & program administrator
• Superintendent
• School counselor
• School psychologist
• School nurse
• School social worker
• School occupational therapist
• School physical therapist
• School speech language pathologists or audiologists may align their PGPs with the ASHA standards. See standard V.
• School behavior analysts may align their PGPs with the BCBA knowledge and skills task list.
• Paraeducators may align their PGPs with the Paraeducator standards of practice.

What is the STEM professional development requirement for certificate renewal?

Beginning on September 1, 2019, renewal applications for residency, professional, initial, 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:

• Agriculture Education
• Business and Marketing Education
• Computer Science
• CTE (All Areas)
• Designated Sciences: Biology, Chemistry, Earth & Space Science; Physics
• Early Childhood Education
• Elementary Education
• Family and Consumer Sciences Education
• Mathematics; Middle Level Mathematics
• Science; Middle Level Science
• Technology Education

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

• STEM certificate renewal RCW

Professional Growth Plans (PGP)

An educator may develop a goal for a Professional Growth Plan that integrates at least two out of the four STEM components. This educator may implement this STEM activity somewhere within their professional practice, such as in a classroom, or through a professional development opportunity, including a PLC, staff meeting, or district level workshop. The educator may collect evidence from the STEM related activity for their PGP. When the educator records this PGP in eCertification, the educator indicates this PGP met the STEM renewal requirement by checking a box.

• Learn more information about PGPs.

Guidance for professional development providers

The intent of the RCW 28A.410.2212  is to ensure students have exposure to authentic STEM integration experiences which align to state learning standards, including information about STEM-related career choices. The intent is for educators to incorporate the learning from the STEM activity within their professional practice such as a classroom or professional development opportunity (PLC, staff meeting, district level workshop, etc.). The educator must participate in or demonstrate implementation of a STEM activity. The learning or activity must demonstrate authentic integration of science, technology, engineering and math, incorporating at least two out of the four STEM elements: Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math. Only one element out the STEM learning experience is not considered an authentic STEM experience.

Guiding questions

In order to be considered an authentic integration, at least two of the four STEM components need to be incorporated. Providers of STEM-related continuing education should design workshops or course offerings to ensure educators will meet the renewal requirement by answering “YES” to the following questions.

• Will the STEM activity have an impact on STEM experiences for students?
• Does the STEM activity provide examples or resources to use with students or with other educators?
• Does the STEM activity provide examples or resources about STEM-related career choices to use with students?

STEM certificate renewal examples

This is not an exhaustive list.

• Completing a PGP that integrates two out of the four STEM components
• Completing a clock hour course aligned to the STEM certificate renewal requirements
• Incorporating a STEM Design challenge within your classroom
• Attending a STEM workshop at a conference
• Participating in a workshop that demonstrates the integration of the STEM disciplines
• Collaborating with a Math, Science, Technology, or CTE teacher to implement a project integrating science and technology or math and technology or a design challenge that uses math and science.
• Participating in professional development offered by a district, ESD, educational organization, etc. that demonstrates the integration of STEM.

Suicide prevention training is required for certificate renewal for school nurses, school counselors, school psychologists, and school social workers. A minimum of three (3) hours of training in suicide prevention through a PESB-approved suicide prevention course, or completion of a Department of Health (DOH) approved program, is required every five years.

Residency and initial certificate holders in these roles are required to complete this for renewal applications received beginning September 1, 2020. Professional and continuing certificate holders were required to complete this beginning July 1, 2015.

Educators are eligible for up to three (3) clock hours for completing the suicide prevention training course.

• DOH approved suicide prevention trainings

Suicide prevention training policy:

• RCW 28A.410.226
• RCW 43.70.442
• WAC 181-79A-221(2)(c) and (3)(c)
• WAC 181-79A-223(2)(b)(iv) and (6)(b)(iii)
• WAC 181-79A-2511(1)(c) and (2)(e)
• WAC 181-79A-2512(1)(c) and (2)(e)

For questions regarding suicide prevention training, contact Leiani Sherwin at leiani.sherwin@k12.wa.us