WEST-E: The Professional Educator Standards Board implemented the content knowledge test requirement for candidates applying for endorsements on the residency certificate on September 1, 2005. Initially, the Praxis II series tests, administered by Educational Testing Services (ETS), were selected to fulfill the requirement. (RCW 28A.410.220)
In 2006, the PESB directed that content knowledge tests fully aligned to Washington standards be developed and implemented. Test development began in 2006 with 26 new WEST-Es implemented on September 1, 2008 in Phase I. Ten tests were implemented in Phase II on September 1, 2009 with the last new WEST-E test implemented in January 2010.
WEST-E Extension: Candidates who are prepared and/or certified out-of-state applying for a Washington State residency or professional teaching certificate have up to one calendar year from issuance of the temporary permit to pass the WEST-E subject knowledge test(s).
WEST-E Exemption: Individuals who hold a certificate through the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards (NBPTS) are exempt from the WEST-E requirement if there is a direct equivalency between the endorsements sought and the national board certificate.
WEST-E Test Objectives: Investigate the Objectives
Computer-based WEST E testing now available for content areas listed below:
- Elementary Education subtest 1
- Elementary Education subtest 2
- English language Arts
- Health/Fitness
- Mathematics\Social Studies
WEST TESTS TRANSITION FROM PAPER- TO COMPUTER-BASED DELIVERY: Beginning June 2013, paper-based tests (PBT) will transition to computer-based delivery over a seven-month period. All WEST tests will be available on computer as of January 2014. Visit WEST Test Transition for more information.
Registration for WEST-Es tests transitioning in June will be available starting May 2, 2013.
Tests transitioning in June:
- Early Childhood Education (001)
- Middle Level Humanities Subtest 1 (010)
- Middle Level Humanities Subtest 2 (011)
- Middle Level Mathematics (012)
- Middle Level Science (013)
- History (027)
- Reading (030)
- English Language Learners (051)
- Special Education (070)
- Early Childhood Special Education (071)
Content areas that have a computer-based test will not be offered as paper-based tests. Computer-based tests taken on or after June 13, 2013 will be available year round by appointment, Mon-Sat. (excluding holidays).
Questions regarding Computer-based tests: FAQ