WEA-Cascade  » Professional Development  » Fundamental Course of Study (FCS) - Paraeducator Certification

FCS Spring Training Series

Para Ed Cert Program

The Paraeducator Certificate Program from the Washington State Professional Educator Standards Board offers a statewide standards-based training for all paraeducators, and supports a career growth ladder for those who wish to advance their career as a paraeducator or pursue a teaching profession. Visit the PESB website for more information about the program and its components.

The Center for Education Quality and the Action Coordinating Team are offering the FCS Standards online. Their objective is to help WEA paraeducator members complete 14 of the 28 required FCS hours for certification for free. 

FCS Training Series

  • Some classes have multiple sessions. The sessions cover the same material, so please register for only one session per training.
  • Registrants will receive a registration confirmation email and a separate email with the Zoom registration and meeting link.
  • There is no charge to attend.
  • Clock hours will be provided.
  • Class sizes are limited.
  • WAC 179-09-040: Paraeducators hired before the 2018-2019 school year must receive a certificate of completion fo 28 Fundemental Course of Study Clock Hours by September 1, 2021.

For questions regarding the FCS courses, contact Cristi McCorkle or Lama Chikh.

2021 session offerings have concluded. Check back for future dates!

FCS 01 Cultural Identity and Diversity (4 clock hours)

In this course, paraeducators will gain an awareness and deeper understanding of ways to engage, build relationships and communicate with the diverse backgrounds of their students. This course is designed to help ensure that students experience a positive, consistent, safe, unbiased and equitable classroom. 

FCS 02 Methods of Instruction and Educational Support (4 clock hours)

Participants will learn classroom and building based instructional strategies and supports to assist classroom teachers in various learning environments and with diverse learning styles. This course is intended to enhance the instructional practices of paraeducators in order to increase student achievement and educational outcomes.

FCS 06 Professionalism, Equity, and Ethics (3 clock hours - 4-hour class)

Paraeducators will gain an awareness of the legalities, polices, procedure and practices surrounding discrimination and how to respond to such violations. This course is designed to help foster a learning environment that is unbiased, safe and promotes the academic success of all students. Please note: Although this course is worth 3 clock hours, it takes 4 hours to complete.

FCS 11/12 Communication Basics and Challenges (3 clock hours - 4-hour class)

Paraeducators will gain an understanding of essential communication strategies, conflict management, conflict resolution and how to effectively work in a team environment. This course is designed to help enhance collaboration and communication between paraeducators and other applicable stakeholders that will enhance student success and achievement. Please note: Although this course is worth 3 clock hours, it takes 4 hours to complete.

Student Engagement and Management in Virtual Classrooms (12 clock hours)

This course provides participants background knowledge and ideas to engage students and improve learning in online and remote settings. Participants will create a plan of action to make a successful transition to online learning that includes digital literacy, communications, engagement strategies, management techniques, inclusionary practices, instructional strategies, and over 200 integrated resources for participants.

This course is part of WEA's Inclusionary Practices Project. Registration and clock hours are free for all WEA members. The online training is asynchronous (self-paced) so participants can register at any time as long as they finish the training by June 30, 2021.