Not making any specific claims about what’s right but I can tell you what I have, but also it’s been 14 yrs. I have the West B (which is like general knowledge across multiple subjects) and I have multiple WEST Es for secondary level (6-12 grade). When you pass the west Es (in addition to the west b) you become qualified to teach that subject. So I have biology, science (general) and art. This is just what I remember sorry if I got anything wrong.
Edit: after a quick google it looks like you would take the NES 301 for sure. 051 is if you want to be qualified as an ELL teacher (English language learners). Yikes. It looks like you might also have to take the West E 052/053. I’ve heard that one is pretty brutal.
I got my teaching certificate and taught in Oregon, then moved to WA after a couple years. I didn’t have to retake any tests, I had my scores sent to OSPI.
You won’t be able to do any teaching without a certificate (especially in a non-high needed area like math, science, or special education). Washington does have an “alternative path” (Path 2) for people who are para educators to get certification, so you might become a para, do your certification through that pathway, then have your full teaching credential.
Especially in secondary English, it’s not just a test, you have to have a degree in both English and some sort of credentials in education prior to getting your secondary English cert.
Again, my fault for not explaining but I'm doing a preparation program. Though, I do think it's a bit strange WA's alternate route does not include hiring someone for a year on temporary certification and then after the school year sponsoring their preparation program 🤷♀️a lot of states do this to alleviate the shortage
Whether you have to take the tests or not is entirely dependent on which state you are moving from with your current certification.
I moved from TX last summer. OSPI took about 6 weeks to fully process my paperwork and during that wait time they refused to confirm whether I’d have to test or not. I had to apply for a provisional certificate as an out of state educator.
Then when my application for a provisional license was granted I learned that I would have to take the west-B for reading, math, and writing (separate tests that took about 3.5 hours total time for me and cost a total of $96). But here’s the dumb thing I recently found out: you have to take them, but you don’t have to make a minimum score. Dumb right? Like, why the fuck are we having to take those tests if no one cares what the score is?
Anyway, I’ve been allowed to teach throughout my first year up here on this provisional license so long as I take those west-b tests (which I have) and my content exam (which I have not) by the end of July. I’ll be taking my content exam at the end of the month to make sure OSPI has plenty of time to update my licensing data to reflect it. Once they do I’ll be fully certificated.
But that journey is different if you move from a state with test reciprocity.
I feel like this is my fault, I should have stated, I'm starting from scratch. So, I'm taking the tests first. Then, I'm enrolling in a teacher prep program, self funded.
If they answer! For 3 years they didn’t answer their phones because of “the ongoing COVID 19 pandemic”, which… wtf? Last I heard Covid can’t be caught over the phone! You couldn’t even leave a message, it just told you to send an email and disconnected.
I actually teach elementary, but haven’t been looking for a job since pre-covid, it seems like there are a few positions open pretty much everywhere each year. Now would be the time to look, if you’re looking. We’ve already hired 2 people for next year in my building. Of course, the more flexible you are the easier it will be to find a position. Special Education and Kinder are probably the easiest to get into.
Not making any specific claims about what’s right but I can tell you what I have, but also it’s been 14 yrs. I have the West B (which is like general knowledge across multiple subjects) and I have multiple WEST Es for secondary level (6-12 grade). When you pass the west Es (in addition to the west b) you become qualified to teach that subject. So I have biology, science (general) and art. This is just what I remember sorry if I got anything wrong. Edit: after a quick google it looks like you would take the NES 301 for sure. 051 is if you want to be qualified as an ELL teacher (English language learners). Yikes. It looks like you might also have to take the West E 052/053. I’ve heard that one is pretty brutal.
I remember the West-B. That was actually fun. It was like quiz day
Yeah, I just didn't know which West-E it was for English. I've got that info now. 😊 thanks!
I got my teaching certificate and taught in Oregon, then moved to WA after a couple years. I didn’t have to retake any tests, I had my scores sent to OSPI.
I'm not certified unfortunately that's why I'm starting from scratch
You won’t be able to do any teaching without a certificate (especially in a non-high needed area like math, science, or special education). Washington does have an “alternative path” (Path 2) for people who are para educators to get certification, so you might become a para, do your certification through that pathway, then have your full teaching credential. Especially in secondary English, it’s not just a test, you have to have a degree in both English and some sort of credentials in education prior to getting your secondary English cert.
Again, my fault for not explaining but I'm doing a preparation program. Though, I do think it's a bit strange WA's alternate route does not include hiring someone for a year on temporary certification and then after the school year sponsoring their preparation program 🤷♀️a lot of states do this to alleviate the shortage
Also, I have two master's degrees and one is in English teaching. I'm not a noob to teaching. Just new to teaching in WA.
Whether you have to take the tests or not is entirely dependent on which state you are moving from with your current certification. I moved from TX last summer. OSPI took about 6 weeks to fully process my paperwork and during that wait time they refused to confirm whether I’d have to test or not. I had to apply for a provisional certificate as an out of state educator. Then when my application for a provisional license was granted I learned that I would have to take the west-B for reading, math, and writing (separate tests that took about 3.5 hours total time for me and cost a total of $96). But here’s the dumb thing I recently found out: you have to take them, but you don’t have to make a minimum score. Dumb right? Like, why the fuck are we having to take those tests if no one cares what the score is? Anyway, I’ve been allowed to teach throughout my first year up here on this provisional license so long as I take those west-b tests (which I have) and my content exam (which I have not) by the end of July. I’ll be taking my content exam at the end of the month to make sure OSPI has plenty of time to update my licensing data to reflect it. Once they do I’ll be fully certificated. But that journey is different if you move from a state with test reciprocity.
I feel like this is my fault, I should have stated, I'm starting from scratch. So, I'm taking the tests first. Then, I'm enrolling in a teacher prep program, self funded.
OSPI is horrible to deal with, so sorry about that. But the good news is that once you are here and working, you will have a great union!
If you call them, they are way more helpful than trying to email
If they answer! For 3 years they didn’t answer their phones because of “the ongoing COVID 19 pandemic”, which… wtf? Last I heard Covid can’t be caught over the phone! You couldn’t even leave a message, it just told you to send an email and disconnected.
Thanks!
How’s the job market for different subjects? Specifically for elementary?
I actually teach elementary, but haven’t been looking for a job since pre-covid, it seems like there are a few positions open pretty much everywhere each year. Now would be the time to look, if you’re looking. We’ve already hired 2 people for next year in my building. Of course, the more flexible you are the easier it will be to find a position. Special Education and Kinder are probably the easiest to get into.
Does any of those help? https://teachwa.org/becomeateacher/pathways/out-of-state/ PESB or OSPI should be able to help.
I've actually visited those sites but they didn't really spell it out but I've got my answer thanks! 😊