WA ProTeach and What It Means for You
History of ProTeach
There have been significant changes made to the professional development standards of P-12 teachers in Washington State. According to PESB, "In 2007 the Washington Legislature enacted SB 5955, Chapter 402, to direct the PESB to set standards and to develop, pilot and implement an external and uniform assessment. As a result, teachers will be required to meet the passing score on the ProTeach Portfolio in order to earn the professional certificate.
Timing is Everything!
You do not want to wait until the last minute to start thinking about your ProTeach Portfolio. PLU is able to assess portfolios and order Professional Certificates for our participants until October 2011. After October 1, 2011 all Washington State teachers will be required to complete a ProTeach portfolio, and submit it to ETS for assessment. If you miss the deadline, regardless of any previous coursework completed toward your Professional Certification, you will be required to do the new state assessment. OSPI will no longer take certification recommendations from any university after October 1, 2011.
What the Changes Mean for You
With the changes in the WAC, it means that after October 1, 2011, every teacher must submit a ProTeach Portfolio to an outside assessor to earn their Professional Certification. This assessment must be completed and passed prior to when your Residency Certificate expires. PLU's ProCert Prep @ PLU is ready to offer support for those seeking Professional Certification through the ProTeach Portfolio.
PLU's ProCert Prep Program and ProTeach
The ProCert Prep program at PLU is designed to support teachers in creating their portfolio. As such, we use the same format, rubrics, and have the same requirements as ETS, and much of our support will not change after the switch to ProTeach. However, after October 1, 2011, all student portfolios will be assessed by the ProTeach system.
Additional Information
Click here for more information about Washington State's new ProTeach program and requirements.
Click here for more information about the ProCert Prep @ PLU program.
For questions about the ProCert Prep @ PLU please feel free to email profdev@plu.edu or call 253-535-8378.