What are your thoughts on the new law implemented by ESSB 5044, which will regulate professional learning on equity, cultural competency, and dismantling institutional racism for all public and private school educators?
This bill, passed by the Legislature in April 2021, requires the Professional Educators Standards Board (PESB) to review and revise Washington’s current educator standards, and ensure the alignment of those standards with cultural competency, diversity, equity, and inclusion (CCDEI) practices. There has been no private school board representative on the PESB for several years, though WFIS has requested on several occasions and through multiple avenues that this oversight be remedied.
The intent of the legislation is to ensure every educator is prepared to demonstrate cultural responsiveness, and “center diversity, equity, and inclusion in the ways they support their students”. Establishing statewide standards is meant to equip educators with the tools they need to do this.
Provide Your Perspective
The PESB has been convening a series of virtual public feedback sessions, the last of which will be Wednesday October 27, from 11:45 am – 1:15 pm. Advance registration is required. Participants are asked to review the draft CCDEI standards and training rubric prior to the feedback session.
Once you have read the draft of the revised standards and training rubric, the public is invited to take this survey
to provide comment and suggestions, which should take between 7-15 minutes to complete.
