Professional Development

Western Governors U Washington Partners with Ed Services District on Professional Development

• By Joshua Bolkan
• 11/29/16

Western Governors University (WGU) Washington and Capital Region Educational Service District 113 (ESD 113) are teaming up in an effort to improve access to continuing education to the district's employees.

WGU Washington uses a competency-based education model designed to allow students to move at their own pace, moving quickly through material they are already familiar with to focus on content they still need to learn. The model allows students to complete their degrees faster to save time and money. Tuition at the university's teacher college is approximately $6,000 per year.

"Educational service districts help support the professional development of educators and, in turn, expand opportunities for improved student outcomes," said Dana Anderson, superintendent of ESD 113, in a prepared statement. "Our partnership with WGU Washington is aligned with this mission and provides diverse learning experiences for educators within our region. I am pleased the Capital Region ESD 113 — which covers 171 public schools and 27 state-approved private schools — is engaged in this opportunity to ensure the educators we serve remain among the best in the state."

As a result of this partnership, WGU Washington now has agreements with each of the state's nine educational service districts, so that now "every employee of a K-12 institution in Washington — including teachers, paraeducators, administrators and support staff — is eligible for tuition discounts, fee waivers and exclusive scholarship opportunities from the university," according to a news release.