Washington State certification INFORMATION

Lesley University offers two Washington approved teacher preparation programs in conjunction with Tacoma Community College that lead to Bachelor's degrees with Residency Certification. In addition to completing the Bachelor's degree and the state-approved teacher preparation program, candidates must complete a basic skills test (WEST-B) and an endorsement test for each license (WEST-E). The Washington's Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI website details the certification process.

• How to Apply for Washington Residency Teacher Certificate [pdf]
• Overview of Teacher Certification in WA [ppt]

Lesley's Certification Programs in Washington

• BA, Liberal Studies, American Studies with a Residency Certificate in Elementary Education
• BA, Liberal Studies, Human Development with a Residency Certificate in Special Education

WEST (Washington Educator Skills Test)

The Washington Professional Educator Standards Board (PESB) has been charged with establishing the prospective teacher assessment for basic skills (WEST-B), which are defined as Reading, Writing and Mathematics, and subject knowledge for each endorsement area (WEST-E). New WEST-E tests are under development and will be required for residence certification in Elementary Education as of September 1, 2008 and September 1, 2009 for Special Education.

• General Information- Registration Bulletin
  

• WEST-B Study Guide [pdf]
  
• 2009-2010 Test Dates

• New WEST-E must be taken by all licensure candidates admitted after August 31, 2008.

  • The current Special Education cohort scheduled to do Field Placement in Spring 2009 must pass the older version of the subject test (PRAXIS II)
  • The current Elementary Education cohort that began in June 2008 may take either the older version (PRAXIS II) or the new WEST-E subject test. Those candidates are encouraged to take the new WEST-E as they be more appealing candidates to superintendents and principals.
• Read more about WEST-E [pdf]

PRAXIS II

• General Information - Registration Bulletin
• 2008-2009 Test Dates