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Hello,

I'm currently working as a computer science associate teacher at a private school in Bellevue, WA, and I'm interested in pursuing the CTE Plan 2 teacher certification program online. I've been reviewing the steps on the OSPI website for the CTE program, and I'd love to hear which of these two colleges might be the best choice for the online program and why. I'm gathering input from others to help make my decision. Here are the two colleges offering this program:

1. https://www.esd101.net/cms/one.aspx?portalid=520915&pageid=24973984. Click or tap if you trust this link." data-linkindex="1" target="_blank" rel="noopener">OPLA CTE Plan 2 - NorthEast Washington ESD 101
2. https://www.cwu.edu/academics/career-technical-education/plan2.php. Click or tap if you trust this link." data-linkindex="2" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Central Washington University | Business and Industry Route CTE Teacher Preparation Program

Is anyone here currently enrolled in either of these programs? I'd really appreciate your insights. Thanks!

Gayathri

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Gayathri Cunnathur Rajagopal k12teacher
Sammamish WA
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Those who I have talked to who were thinking of the CTE Plan 2 route have generally favored the ESD101 program.  Both are online, asynchronous.  Main difference is cost.  Looking at the websites of the two programs, the ESD101 costs $2800 while the CWU seems to cost $7000.  However, I have not talked to anyone since to see what their opinion was of the program they took. 

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Lawrence Tanimoto
Treasurer/Advocacy Lead, CSTA Puget Sound (WA)
Winner, Men's and Women's Brackets
2024 CSTA Chapter Leaders March Madness Challenge
Bellevue, WA
K-12 Teacher CTE (retired)
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This post was also shared on the main CSTA Public Community: CTE plan 2 program for teacher certification | CSTA Public Community

Two responses from this community:

From @Andy Christensen

Hello Gayathri,

I am not familiar with the ESD101 program, but am looking into it.

I have colleagues who have pursued certification through CWU and have had mixed experiences. One has been waiting more than two years for the final step with OSPI. I am not familiar enough to know details, but that alone would concern me.

Finally, I note that South Seattle College is not on your list. I completed almost 3/4 of their program. They shut it down due to COVID and have not re-opened it. Worse, they have not returned repeated emails and voicemails over the past three years since life resumed normalcy. Whatever path you choose, I obviously would not recommend South Seattle College's program.

Best of luck to you,
Andy Christensen

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Andy Christensen k12teacher
REDMOND WA
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From @Steven Knemeyer

I did the cwu program about 7 years ago. It was fairly easy. 1 Saturday a month. 18 days. Took me two years. If you are already a teacher you just need the 2nd year (9 days) It checks the boxes you need, and gives a very brief introduction. Being that it is a university it gives you credits towards a master degree and pay scale. Not sure if the other program you mentioned would be college credit. I've heard cwu can be done online now.

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Lawrence Tanimoto
Treasurer/Advocacy Lead, CSTA Puget Sound (WA)
Winner, Men's and Women's Brackets
2024 CSTA Chapter Leaders March Madness Challenge
Bellevue, WA
K-12 Teacher CTE (retired)
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