LIVE BLOG: PESB

1:15pm-2:05pm

Innovative Practices Showcase: Western Washington University — Stephanie Salzman, George “Pinky” Nelson

Spotlight on some of the great things WWU does to prepare teachers. Mr. Nelson encouraged the PESB to raise the passing score on the WEST-E. Ms. Salzman said WWU is excited about the ProCert assessment and plan to use it to help teacher candidates. Mr. Nelson added that they are grateful to OSPI for providing the data for the students in the classrooms of pre-service teachers. Ms. Salzman and Mr. Nelson also spoke to the importance of moving away from teacher preparation programs as “puppy mills,” and really increase quality [Ms. Salzman’s words, not mine].

>>Some questions from PESB members about the high number of elementary education teachers WWU graduates. Ms. Salzman said they analyze data and talk to the state about anticipated need in all areas.<<

2:05pm-2:45pm

Results and Recommendations from the Professional Certificate Portfolio of Evidence Assessment Evaluation Committee — Esther Baker

ETS was the only company to respond to the RFP. The ETS proposal will cost $5.5 million for five years.

>>Representative from Gonzaga University voiced concerns about the assessment, namely it being a high stakes test for teachers, questions about teachers on special assignment and in other duties, and teachers already having a lot on their plates.

>>Some PESB members are concerned about the assessment, and the cost. Jennifer Wallace reminded the board that they have been working on this for some time, and have brought down the cost significantly. And with the new legislative mandate (HB 2261), the board needs to propose an assessment, so if not this, then what? Shannon Lawson said teachers she has worked with have responded positively to the ProCert pilot, and keeping the cost under $500 seems reasonable (some districts offer stipends). Grant Pelesky was the only member to vote against the item.

ETS consultants said they hear the board’s concerns, and plan to work with educators as they develop the assessment.<<

LIVE BLOG: PESB

11:05am-12:10pm

PESB/Washington State Letter of Intent for Participation in Cross-State Pilot of California’s Teacher Performance Assessment — Jennifer Wallace, Raymond Pecheone

-Partnership between ACTE, CCSSO, Stanford University

-In California, have 6,000 candidates annually, so scale is not much of an issue

-Portfolio scoring takes 2 hours or less

-Designed as a bridge to induction

-Washington’s timeline is a bit faster than the project’s, but not a big deal

12:10pm-12:25pm

Public Comment

Lucinda Young, WEA — Budget cut $1.5 billion from education, need to make up losses to pension and compensation, resources may not be available for things PESB wants to do; 16 days of the school year will be paid for with federal stimulus funds; higher education is also cut; teachers who might normally volunteer to help grade assessments might be too stretched at their schools; WEA members feel HB 2261 says institutions of higher education and the licensure system are unable to provide quality teachers; some WEA members are angry about ProCert, but younger teachers who recently went through ProCert have good things to say; WEA members trust PESB; please continue to reach out to educators, WEA will be glad to help; despite cuts, it’s important we keep quality licensure system

LIVE BLOG: PESB

9:05am-9:45am

Legislative Session Outcome — Jennifer Wallace

-HB 2261

*By January 2010, PESB must

*Have new knowledge, skill and performance standards calibrated at each level of certification

*Adopt a new definition of “master teacher”

*Proposal for a uniform, statewide, valid and reliable classroom-based means of evaluating teacher effectiveness at pre-service level

*Update on implementation of uniform and external assessment for teacher professional certification

*Have a recommendation on the length of time a residency certification is valid

*Beginning no earlier than September 2011, professional certification shall be based on a minimum of two years of successful teaching experience and may not require candidates enroll in a professional certification program

*Beginning July 2011, residency teacher preparation programs must demonstrate how program produces effective teachers

>>Questions from members about the impact of this on colleges of education. Ms. Wallace shared that some colleges have indicated they will not continue to offer ProCert programs. PESB members from institutions of higher education indicated some would and others would not continue to offer ProCert programs.<<

*Three workgroups will have a PESB member on them

-HB 2003: changes in PESB responsibilities and composition

*Shrinking to 12 members and the Superintendent of Public Instruction

*Removes current PESB responsibility of hearing certification appeals

-SB 5973 and HB 2261: cultural competencies

-HB 1675

-HB 1156

-Final budget

9:45am-10:55am

Recommendations for the Conceptual Model of the Evidence-Based Pedagogy Assessment — Larry Lashway, Esther Baker, Cap Peck, Colleen Fairchild

-Recommendations for pre-service level EBPA:

*Would be external (conducted by non-supervisor)

*Should include video clips

*Should have scoring system that provides fast, timely feedback to candidates and programs

*Assessment should include university faculty and supervisors in the scoring process

*The standards and criteria for the Teaching Cycle should be aligned with standards and criteria for the Professional Certificate assessment

*The formal “external” assessment of core teaching skills should be supplemented by a program-implemented assessment (the “Longitudinal Record”) during student teaching

-Unresolved issues

*Content specificity

*Scale

*Cost

*Timelines

*Legal concerns (namely around video clips)

>>Back and forth exchange on scale and timely feedback. Some concern from Board members on cost to candidates, worried it will act as a deterrent. Some members also concerned about the time needed to grade exams (2-3 hours to grade, for 2,000+ candidates).<<