I know you are busy. I know your teachers are busy. It seems like everyone in the entire education system is experiencing crazy workloads, endless zoom meetings, and more calendar invites than a day can handle. The thought of having to register for courses to obtain more clock hours for re-certification, with a calendar that is already overflowing with meetings, might just put you over the edge!
Have no fear, the Professional Growth Plan (PGP) option is still here! Every single educator and school leader has the option of completing a PGP every year. PGPs are a great self-directed, FREE professional development option worth 25 clock hours. YES! Clock hours at no cost for the work you and your teachers are already doing! With a PGP, teachers, administrators, paraeducators, and ESAs set their own goals, align them to certification standards, design an action plan, and collect evidence documenting growth towards achieving their goals. Educators reflect on the process. There is NO COST to an educator for a PGP.
Wondering how you complete a PGP? It’s very simple.
Complete the PGP template for certificate renewal – PESB form 1697 (Word document).
Attach evidence from your focused evaluation, PLC, project, or other learning experience.
Have a certificated educator in Washington state review and sign.
Turn in the verification form (PDF) according to your district procedures for consideration for salary advancement and record in OSPI e-certification for certificate renewal.
Still worried about clock hours and your certification renewal? Many districts are issuing clock hours for teachers and administrators' work each week in PLCs. Work centered around district initiatives, school improvement planning, and instruction can be considered for clock hours. Check with your district’s clock hour committee to see if the work already being done in your schools might be eligible for clock hours.
With the PGP work and the possibility of job-embedded clock hours, certification renewal will come into focus for you and your staff without the anxiety of finding time for evening course work, extended online courses, and book studies. You can find all the information you need around PGPs on the Professional Educator Standards Board website.