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In accordance with the performance-based system created by the Washington State legislature, teachers certified after September 1, 2000, are required to obtain a Professional Certificate within the five-year period following their Residency Certificate. SPU's solution, which satisfies this requirement, is a program based on self-assessment, planning and demonstration of performance. With three basic design models and distance learning capabilities, no matter where you live, SPU's program is individualized and accessible.
Washington State Provisions
- Each Candidate must satisfactorily address 3 standards and 12
competency areas.
- Approximately 15 credits must be taken through a university, district or ESD.
- Teachers must develop a university/school partnership as a Professional Growth Team (PGT). The PGT includes a teacher colleague, a district and a university representative.
Program Admission Requirements
- AS INDICATED IN WAS 180-78A-540, ADMISSION CRITERIA MUST INCLUDE THE FOLLOWING:
- A Residency Teaching Certificate
- Employment in a Washington state public or approved private school.
Benefits for SPU Program Participants
- Strong relationship with a team of advisors
- Use of technology that is accessible throughout the state.
- Access to a University field representative no matter where a candidate lives in Washington .
- Maximized peer support through a cohort approach.
- Coordinated study with master's degree programs
The SPU program is primarily one of self-assessment, planning, and performance demonstration and is founded on two key components: reflection and collaboration.
Specifically, we will:
- Develop a strong relationship between the candidate and a team of advisors.
- Use technology that is accessible throughout the state.
- Provide a university field representative no matter where you live in Washington.
- Create peer support through a cohort approach.
- Coordinate with a Master's degree.
The program is laid out as follows:
| Pre-Assessment Seminar (3 credits) |
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online and/or in-district |
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Candidate completes a Professional Certification
Preasessment Plan (PCPP) with team support. |
| Core Classes at the CE or Master's level (9 credits) |
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Choose online or in-district CE courses;
online or onsite Master's courses. |
| Culminating Seminar (3 credits) |
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online and/or in-district |
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Present a final portfolio of work approved by the Professional Growth Team and the University. |
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Completing the Plan/Demonstration of Competency :
This will look different for each teacher, depending on the individual plan. It could include other courses, workshops, or projects. It could also include a monthly check-in with the university supervisor-onsite or online. School mentors and other teachers in the cohort will also be included in the plan.
Overview of SPU's Three Models
Using the performance-based system created by the State Legislature, we have developed a program that is a combination of online and onsite venues. Students may access the program from anywhere in the State. An SPU field rep will attend Professional Growth Team meetings at any place in the state of Washington . The SPU program design is founded on three key components: self-assessment, collaboration, and professional development. The standards for program completion will remain consistent, but we will pilot three different delivery models. Following is the basic design for the three models.
| MODEL 1: DISTRICT PARTNERSHIP |
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Professional Growth Seminars: 6 credits over a two year period.
Pre-Assessment Seminar ends with the completion
of the (PCPP) growth plan.
Core classes : individual - IEP model based on individual teacher performance needs
For students seeking a Master's degree:
- Core Classes: Curriculum, Instruction, and Assessment: 9 graduate credits: 3 courses
- Online courses at Master's level : curriculum, instructional, and assessment OR other appropriate courses as specified in the candidate's PGP. For example, a technology course might be used.
- Onsite courses : integrated curriculum, instructional, and assessment.
Culminating Seminar ends with the portfolio and presentation
- Individual courses, workshops as indicated by the PCPP
and approved through the Professional Growth Team, and
SPU's Professional Growth Coordinator.
- Designed in collaboration with school districts who wish to partner with SPU, using district personnel and existing district courses whenever possible to create a more seamless system for new teachers.
- Please check our Partners List (PDF or Word) to find out if your district is a SPU Professional Certificate partner district.
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| MODEL 2: ONLINE |
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Professional Growth Seminars: 6 credits over a two year period.
Pre-Assessment Seminar ends with the completion
of the (PCPP) growth plan.
Core classes : individual-IEP model based on individual teacher performance needs
For students seeking a Master's degree:
- Core Classes : Curriculum, Instruction, and Assessment: 9 graduate credits: 3 courses
- Online courses at Master's level : curriculum, instructional, and assessment OR other appropriate courses as specified in the candidate's PGP. For example, a technology course might be used.
- Onsite courses : integrated curriculum, instructional, and assessment.
Culminating Seminar ends with the portfolio and presentation
- Individual courses, workshops as indicated by the PCPP
and approved through the Professional Growth Team, and
the Professional Growth Coordinator.
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| MODEL
3: ADVANCED |
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Seattle Pacific University
also offers Professional Certificate Advanced Seminar
(EDCN 5300) for approved teachers from out-of-state
or with lapsed certificates.
In order to qualify for the course, teachers must meet these prerequisites: evidence of five years of successful out-of-state teaching experience in a public or state-approved private school, a Washington State Residency Certificate, and proof of current employment in a Washington State school.
This self-paced
course is designed to assist those who qualify in assessing
their experience and producing evidence to demonstrate their
competence in the 12 required criteria for a Professional
Certificate. The process will include a Professional Growth
Team, selected by the candidate, which consists of a teacher
colleague, a district or ESD representative, and an SPU
faculty member.
The entire course is online, and candidates will proceed at their own pace. They may take anywhere from two months to a year to complete the process. At the end of the course, if they have demonstrated competence in all areas, SPU will recommend them to the State for approval of a Professional Certificate. In some cases, additional course work may be required to meet the criteria.
Pre-Assessment & Culminating Seminar combination : 3 credits over 3 quarters. |
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SOE Standards
The glue that holds this together is the PCPP itself which is based
on the 12 performance criteria. What will provide even more reliability
is the development of descriptors for each criterion. Finally,
the required final portfolio of work will hold students to a similar
standard. It will be the task of the Professional Certification
Faculty Coordinator to ensure that these standards are met through the
different delivery models. Specifically, the Coordinator will train
adjuncts, supervise the development of common expectiations and other
materials, and review final projects.
Professional Growth Site Team
OVERVIEW: The Professional Growth Team is intended
to provide several perspectives in assistance to the Candidate as he/she
develops a Professional Growth Plan, and completes the agreed upon activities. The
team will meet a minimum of twice a quarter during
each of the three-quarter seminars. Finally, the team will come
to consensus regarding the evaluation of the evidence submitted by the
candidate to show competence in each of the 12 criteria as specified
by the WAC. Role Descriptions
TEACHER COLLEAGUE
- Attends meetings with the District Representative, University/District Adjunct Faculty, and candidate
- Designated colleague who works with the candidate to ensure progress on the plan
- Supports candidate to complete the plan
- Provides input into review of the evidence for completion of the plan
UNIVERSITY FIELD REPRESENTATIVE
- Attends team meetings with the District Representative, Teacher Colleague and candidate
- Assists candidate as a resource and support
- Works as liaison with the SPU Faculty Advisor
- May be a district adjunct
DISTRICT REPRESENTATIVE
(Building principal, other administrator, or other designee)
- Attends meetings quarterly with candidate, University/District Adjunct, and Teacher Colleague
- Provides feedback to candidate in the formation of the PCPP in terms
of areas needing improvement and potential resources
- Recommends acceptance or denial of PCPP completion as indicated
in the course materials and communicates this to the SPU Faculty Advisor
CANDIDATE
- Selects members of their Professional Growth Site Team
- Serves as the leader of the team by setting meeting dates, establishing and facilitating the meeting agenda
- Receives support and suggestive feedback from the team toward completion of their Professional Certification
- Assesses self towards standards, collects evidence of results, and shares this work with the Professional Growth Team
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