Revising Requirements and Establishing Guidelines for the Professional Teachers’ Examinations: Virginia and Communication and Literacy Assessment (VCLA), Praxis II, and the Virginia Reading Assessment (VRA)
Resolution Number 2005-9
June 22, 2005
The Board of Education approves the recommendations from the Special Committee to Study Teacher Licensure Assessment and the implementation of the prescribed professional teacher’s examinations shall include the following guidelines:
- The assessments [Communication and Literacy and Assessment, Praxis II, and the Virginia Reading Assessment (VRA), if applicable] will be required for all individuals seeking initial licensure in Virginia except individuals who have completed a minimum of two years of full-time, successful teaching experience with an effective license from another state at the time of application. The proposed effective date for the implementation of the licensure assessments is January 1, 2006, depending on the timeframe to develop the Literacy and Communication Skills assessment.
- The Literacy and Communication Skills Assessment will be composed of two areas — reading and writing. The test will measure communication and literacy skills necessary to teach and communicate effectively with parents and others in the education community. [Individuals will be asked to demonstrate comprehension and analysis of readings; development of ideas in essay form on specific topics, outlining and summarizing; interpreting tables and graphs; mastery of grammar, and mechanics; vocabulary; and writing.]
- Requirements for admission into approved programs, including entry assessments, will be set forth in the Regulations Governing the Approved Programs for Virginia Institutions of Higher Education.
- Individuals otherwise eligible for licensure who have not completed the assessment requirements may be issued a provisional license not to exceed one full school year. (This guideline was approved by the special committee by a vote of 7 to 5.)
- Individuals seeking the Pupil Personnel Services License and the Technical Professional License will not be subject to the assessments. Regulations Governing the Approved Programs for Virginia Institutions of Higher Education and the Regulations Governing the Licensure of School Personnel will set forth the communication and literacy competencies for these license types.
Thomas M. Jackson, Jr., President
Board of Education
Adopted in the Minutes of the Virginia Board of Education
June 22, 2005
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