PGP FAQ - Professional Educator Standards Board (2024)

What is a Professional Growth Plan (PGP)?

Professional Growth Plans (PGPs) are job-embedded, self-directed professional development. In a PGP, educators set their own goals, align them to certification standards, design an action plan, and collect evidence documenting their growth towards achieving their goals. Educators then reflect on the process.

Aligned to the cultural competency, diversity, equity, and inclusion (CCDEI) standards, the social emotional learning (SEL) standards or professional standards relevant to your role, an educator is expected to continue to grow professionally while becoming more proficient in knowledge and skills already developed. PGPs are equivalent to 25 clock hours. PGPs completed prior to June 30, 2018, are equivalent to 30 clock hours.

May I meet the STEM certificate renewal requirement with a PGP?

For more information on the STEM certificate renewal requirement visit our STEM integration page.

Beginning September 1, 2019, renewal applications for teacher certificates with specific endorsem*nts and all CTE teacher certificates must document completion of at least 15 clock hours, or at least one goal from an annual professional growth plan (PGP), with an emphasis on STEM integration to meet this renewal requirement.

Am I required to use the PGP template form 1697 for certification renewal?

Yes. The PGP template for certificate renewal – PESB form 1697 (document) is required.

What is the difference between a PGP for program completion and a PGP for certificate renewal?

When completing an educator preparation program in Washington state, a PGP for program completion is developed. PGPs for program completion introduce pre-service candidates to the concept of PGPs, so they can comfortably access PGPs for certificate renewal once in the field. This adds coherence to professional learning across the career continuum.

A PGP for program completion requires a different form than a PGP for certificate renewal. Both types of PGPs can be aligned to cultural competency standards (or the cultural competency, diversity, equity, and inclusion (CCDEI) standards once they are developed) or the social emotional learning (SEL) standards. In addition, PGPs for program completion can be aligned to the educator preparation program role standards while PGPs for certificate renewal can be aligned to the professional educator role standards.

May I use the PGP for program completion for certificate renewal?

No. The PGP for program completion does not include the Professional Growth Evidence and Reflection portions of the template.

How do I complete a PGP?

• Complete the PGP template for certificate renewal – PESB form 1697 (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.

When may a PGP be completed?

Only one PGP may be completed each year. PGPs are completed between July 1 of one year and June 30 of the next. Completion of a PGP includes review by a Washington certificated educator.

How many clock hours are PGPs equivalent to?

PGPs are equivalent to 25 clock hours. PGPs completed prior to June 30, 2018, are equivalent to 30 clock hours.

What do I do with my completed PGP template?

Keep it for your records. Each educator is responsible for keeping the original copy of the signed PGP template (document), related evidence, and verification form (document) in case of an audit.

Who can review my PGP?

The colleague who reviews a PGP must hold a Washington state educator certificate. PGPs completed by teachers, administrators, paraeducators with a certificate, or educational staff associates (ESAs) may all review and sign one anothers’ PGPs. The individual reviewing a PGP is not required to be the employee’s evaluator.

The reviewer could be an educator certificate holder within or outside of the school or district, certificated staff members at the educators’ professional association (WEA, AWSP, WASA, etc.), ESD consultants or administrators, professional learning community members, department chair or members, team teacher, grade or cross grade level team members, or supervisor.

Are there a minimum number of goals/activities required in a PGP?

No. We recommend limiting the number of goals to one or two to focus your efforts on those goals.

May my PGP goals and activities remain the same in upcoming years?

No. Because the results of a self-assessment (folder) would change each year, a new PGP template will be completed each year. While the self-assessment may indicate a continuation of a previous year’s focus, a PGP may not be copied each year.

Is it acceptable for a team of educators such as professional learning communities to complete a single PGP?

No. Each educator would complete their own self-assessment, and PGP using the required template (document). While there may be similarities across PGPs for educators working together, a team of educators completing verbatim or nearly verbatim PGPs to each other may be grounds for certificate revocation.

I hold multiple certificates. Do I have to complete a PGP for each certificate?

No. Educators may renew multiple certificates with the same set of PGPs, clock hours, or credits. A completed PGP will count toward all certificates as part of certificate renewal.

How do I record my PGP for certificate renewal?

PGPs for certificate renewal are recorded through e-certification. For questions regarding e-certification, contact OSPI’s certification office at [email protected].

PGPs for certificate renewal may be recorded in e-certification on an annual basis, as they are completed, or they can be recorded at any point during the validity period of the certificate prior to submitting the application for certificate renewal.​

How do I record my PGP for potential salary advancement?

Clock hours for completion of a PGP may be eligible for salary advancement. After completion of a PGP, the educator submits a PGP verification form (document) according to school district or employer procedures. This verification form may be used to determine eligibility for application of clock hours to the salary schedule.

Am I eligible to complete a PGP?

Teachers, administrators, paraeducators, and ESAs can all complete PGPs.

For paraeducators, only one PGP may be completed towards the clock hour requirements of the General Paraeducator Certificate. A PGP cannot be completed to obtain a Subject Matter Certificate, but it may be completed to renew a Subject Matter Certificate. PGPs may be completed to both attain and renew the Advanced Paraeducator Certificate. Find out more about paraeducators and PGPs (document).

I have an undated residency certificate–it does not have an expiration date. May I complete a PGP?

Holders of residency certificates without expiration dates (also called undated residency certificates, residency first issue (FI), or residency provisional status (PS) certificates) are eligible for reissuance of a residency certificate with an expiration date (a dated residency certificate) once the educator has completed a certain amount of experience in the role.

Please see the OSPI certification for more information. PGPs, clock hours, or the equivalent in credits, may not be completed for certificate renewal until the educator has a certificate with an expiration date.

Clock hours for completion of a PGP may be eligible for salary advancement. The educator submits a PGP verification form (document) according to district procedures. This verification form may be used by school districts to determine eligibility for application of clock hours to the salary schedule.

I have a Standard certificate that says I can teach any subject K-12, and it doesn’t have an expiration date. May I complete a PGP?

Those holding the undated, unendorsed “lifetime” or “golden ticket,” standard certificate issued prior to 1987 do not need to renew their certificates and do not need to complete PGPs for certificate renewal.

Clock hours for completion of a PGP may be eligible for salary advancement. The educator submits a PGP verification form (document) according to district procedures. This verification form may be used by school districts to determine eligibility for application of clock hours to the salary schedule.

May I complete PGPs if I’m not working?

Individuals who are not working or who are not in the role, may choose to complete a PGP through “borrowing” a classroom or arranging access to the appropriate environment. All PGP requirements, including alignment of the PGP to the relevant standards and review of the PGP by a colleague with a Washington state educator certificate, still apply. Educators who are not in the role may also choose to renew their certificates with clock hours or credits.

I serve in multiple roles for my district. Does my PGP need to focus on all of my roles?

No. The PGP is your action plan determined by your professional growth needs. Many educators will choose to orient their PGP toward a role they currently hold.

I hold multiple certificates. Do I have to complete a PGP for each certificate?

No. Educators may renew multiple certificates with the same set of PGPs, clock hours, or credits. A completed PGP will count toward all certificates as part of certificate renewal. For example, an educator who holds a teacher certificate and a principal certificate may use the same set of PGPs, clock hours, and credits for certificate renewal. These do need to be completed during the appropriate time period for each certificate. Contact the OSPI certification office at [email protected] for more information.

Why are the certification standards listed different from the eight evaluation standards?

The certification standards are similar to, but not the same as the evaluation standards. This is purposeful. Separation exists between the certification and evaluation processes. Educators cannot lose their certificate(s) due to evaluation issues. The evaluation standards may also reflect more job-specific related goals and benchmarks, whereas a PGP can be used for an educator’s professional growth beyond current job duties.

Can I use the growth activities from my focused evaluation for my PGP?

Yes. Educators can apply the growth activities from the focused evaluation as part of their professional growth plans (RCW 28A.405.100). Some educators may choose to supplement these growth activities with other goals, or to complete an entirely separate PGP from their evaluation.

I want to apply my focused evaluation growth activities toward my PGP for this year. How do I do that?

Complete PGP template for certificate renewal – PESB form 1697 (document). Your professional growth goals may consist of supporting students to meet your student growth goals. In this case, you use the student growth goals from your focused evaluation and attach the evidence gathered over the course of completing your focused evaluation. Make sure to respond to all the questions on the PGP template, and have a certificated colleague review and sign.

What is a self-assessment and what information should I consider during my self-assessment?

A self-assessment is a reflective information driven consideration to determine professional areas in need of improvement. There is no required form to fill out for a self-assessment, although sample self-assessments are available on the PESB website.

Potential sources of information are educational research, school / district improvement plans, input from colleagues / supervisor, past evaluations, formative assessments, classroom or state summative assessment results, evidence of impact on student learning, and self-evaluations.

Where do I find the standards for PGP alignment?

The standards for PGP alignment are found on the Educator standards, SEL, CCDEI page

Are there completed PGP examples I can view?

Find examples of completed PGPs by role on our PGP webpage, under the heading “PGP information for specific roles”.

Is there a rubric to help guide me as I fill out my PGP?

Yes. Here is a sample PGP rubric (document). Educators are encouraged to work with their PGP reviewer to make sure everyone is in agreement regarding what “meets expectations.” This rubric is offered as assistance, not as a requirement.

What are the common mistakes made when implementing a PGP?

Advice from educators who have implemented effective PGPs:

• Focus your PGP on your professional growth, not on your job responsibilities.
• Be sure your PGP is realistic. Setting six goals for the year seems ambitious in September, but cumbersome by January.
• Manage your time well. Reviewing your plan with another certificated educator throughout the year will help renew your focus on your goals so you aren’t in a rush to complete your activities at the end of the school year.

If I am an NBCT, do I have to complete PGPs to renew my professional or continuing certificate?

No. You may renew your Washington state certificate with a valid National Board certificate.

What if I want to pursue National Board certification? How does that fit with completing a PGP?

Pursuing National Board certification is a rigorous means of professional development. You may base your annual PGP on pursuing National Board certification. You could align the goals and activities you plan to complete while working toward National Board certification with the appropriate Washington “career” level benchmarks, and document the evidence and reflection of your growth for your colleague as you complete that PGP.

Since it may take more than one year to achieve National Board certification, you may base the next year’s PGP on the components of National Board certification you will be completing that year. Retaking a National Board component is also professional growth. Through these processes, you are working to improve your performance, which fits with the intent of the PGP for certificate renewal.

The PGPs you complete during your pursuit of National Board certification can be used for meeting certificate renewal requirements. Once you’ve achieved National Board certification, you can use that valid National Board certificate to renew your Washington State certificate.