Teacher Professional Certification (ProCert) Support Program
What is the professional certificate, and who needs to earn it?
The professional certificate is the second-tier certificate for teaching in Washington. If you hold a residency certificate, you must obtain a professional certificate before your residency certificate expires.
When can I start my ProTeach Portfolio
You must hold a valid Washington residency certificate. You may begin your ProTeach Portfolio at the beginning of your third year of service if you have accumulated at least 1.5 FTE (Full-Time Equivalent). These eligibility requirements will be instantly verified at the time of registration. Because all information about the ProTeach Portfolio is available free-of-charge online (www.waproteach.org), you can begin your preparation by reviewing the standards, criteria and assessment instructions at any time.
How do I earn the professional certificate?
You must meet or exceed the ProTeach Portfolio passing score as set by the Professional Educator Standards Board (PESB) and take a course on issues of abuse. These are the only requirements. NOTE: All candidates for the professional certificate are required to complete a course on issues of abuse. This requirement may have been met during your course work for the residency certificate. Courses on issues of abuse are regularly offered by the Educational Service Districts (ESDs) in your region. To identify your ESD, visit the Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI) website at www.k12.wa.us/maps/ESDmap.aspx.
The ProTeach Portfolio is an evidence-based assessment. The portfolio is designed to help you develop and implement best practices to promote a student-centered learning environment as well as nurture your growth as a teacher over the time you spend with students. During this process you will study standards and best practices, analyze your teaching and your impact on student learning, try new strategies to promote a student-centered learning environment, and give and receive feedback. The ProTeach Portfolio evaluates teachers on their ability to impact student learning as stated in the 3 standards — effective teaching, professional development, and professional contributions — and 12 criteria for the professional certificate approved by the Professional Educator Standards Board (PESB). PESB has set new standards to implement an external and uniform assessment effective September 1, 2011.
What if my residency certificate expires in 2011? Will I have time to complete the ProTeach Portfolio?
Yes. The PESB authorized that residency certificates expiring in 2011 are eligible for a 2-year extension upon registration for the ProTeach Portfolio. At the completion of registration, print a copy of your payment confirmation page. Contact the Certification Office of the OSPI for more information.
How has renewal of the residency changed?
In the current system, individuals obtain a residency valid for five years after teaching for two years (seven years total) with an option for a two year renewal if employed (nine years total). In the new system, individuals will receive a residency valid for three years after teaching for 2 years and accumulating 1.5 FTE experience (5 years total) with an option for two renewals of two years each (nine years total).
How long does the ProTeach Portfolio take to complete?
You can choose the length of preparation time by carefully selecting your date of registration. Examine the assessment calendar carefully. The day you choose to register defines the amount of time you will have to prepare your portfolio. Your preparation time could be as little as 8 weeks or as long as 14-1/2 months, depending on when you register and which submission deadline date you choose.
All of the activities for registration, creation, and submission of your portfolio will occur online (www.waproteach.org). Your portfolio will be scored online also by trained Washington educators. You will receive your scores approximately 8 weeks after submission. Your scores will be provided automatically to the PESB and the Certification Office of the OSPI and will also be sent to any support provider group you may have designated at the time of registration.
How can WSU support your ProCert/ ProTeach Portfolio Endeavor?
Washington State University (WSU) Tri-Cities has a quality, established support program. WSU’s Teacher Pro Certification Support Program consists of two courses: the Pre-Assessment Seminar (T&L 541) and the Culminating Seminar (T&L 543). Each course runs for the duration of the WSU semester (15 weeks). Instructors generally meet once a week, for three hours. Cohorts are currently scheduled in the Kennewick, Richland, Pasco, and North Franklin school districts. Additionally, these courses can be taken either for graduate credit (3 credits each course) or as a non-credit course ($500/each course). The curriculum is the same regardless of which option you choose. You will indicate your preference on an Intent to Participate Form. If you choose to take these courses for credit, they can be applied to a number of Master of Education Degree Programs in the Department of Teaching and Learning that WSU Tri-Cities offers: Master of Education with a specialization in Literacy Education, Master of Education with a specialization in ELL/Bilingual, Master of Education with a specialization in Curriculum and Instruction.
If you have questions regarding the WSU Tri-Cities Professional Certificate Support Program, please contact Dr. Maria Moscatelli at (509) 372-7186, mmoscatelli@tricity.wsu.edu.
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