Date:

July 20, 2015

From:

Patty Finnegan, Program Specialist

Subject:

Work Group Members to Revise the Competencies for the Special Education and Early Childhood Special Education Endorsements

Greetings from the Professional Educator Standards Board (PESB). PESB Members recognize and value the input and expertise from statewide stakeholder groups, preparation programs, and professional associations as crucial to their work. PESB would appreciate your consideration of this request to forward names from your constituencies to PESB staff to serve on the work group revising the competencies for the Special Education and Early Childhood Special Education endorsements. Work Group Goals 1) Revise the Special Education and Early Childhood Special Education endorsement competencies and present drafts to PESB for consideration for adoption. 2) Make recommendations to PESB regarding the alignment between the revised competencies and the WEST-E and NES special education test frameworks. Criteria for Selecting Representatives to Serve on the Work Group By agreeing to recommend representatives to serve on the Special Education endorsements’ work group, PESB respectfully asks the following: ● The association/preparation program/stakeholder group designates representatives with experience, background, and expertise related to the work group goals; ● If possible, please provide PESB with multiple representatives’ names and contact information. PESB will make the final selection of participants to ensure statewide, diverse stakeholder representation; ● PESB staff have created a webpage where attendance, materials, information, and outcomes from each meeting will be posted. PESB asks that the work group representatives utilize the webpage for updates and information related to the work, and directs their constituents to access the webpage for information as well. In addition, expectations for participation on the work group are listed on the PESB webpage: http://program.pesb.wa.gov/endorsements/endorsement-reviews-in-process-upcoming/specialeducation-k-12-p-3-endorsement-reviews. Logistics and Timeline The Special Education endorsements’ work group will convene on October 15, 2015 for one face-to-face meeting (in the SeaTac area) to establish protocols and begin the work. Substitute reimbursements and travel expenses will be covered by PESB. Any follow up meetings to finalize the work will take place through 1-hour webinars. The work group’s draft documents and recommendations will be vetted through stakeholders Nov. 4 – Dec. 2, 2015. The work group will then review stakeholder suggestions and finalize the draft. PESB staff will present the work group’s drafts and recommendations at the January 21-22, 2016 PESB meeting. Request for Participation on the Special Education Work Group Please respond to this invitation by providing the names and email addresses of your representatives to Patty Finnegan no later than September 29, 2015 ([email protected] or via phone 360-7256324). On behalf of PESB, I thank you for your consideration of this request and look forward to hearing from you.

Main Office (360) 725-6275 ● FAX (360) 586-4548 ● http://www.pesb.wa.gov Old Capitol Building ● 600 Washington Street S., Room 400 ● P. O. Box 47236 ● Olympia, WA 98504-7236