COMMONWEALTH OF VIRGINIA
DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
P.O. BOX 2120
RICHMOND, VIRGINIA 23218-2120
SUPTS. MEMO NO.13
November 10, 2005
REGULATORY
|
TO: |
Division
Superintendents |
|
FROM: |
Jo Lynne DeMary Superintendent of Public Instruction |
|
SUBJECT: |
Board
of Education Approves the Criteria for
Implementing Experiential Learning Credits for Alternate Route Applicants Seeking Initial Licensure |
The
2005 General Assembly approved House Bill 2790 requiring that the Board
of Education, in its regulations governing teacher licensure, establish
criteria and a procedure to allow persons seeking initial licensure as teachers
through an alternative route as defined by Board regulations to substitute
experiential learning in lieu of coursework. This language was incorporated in
Section 22.1-298 of the Code of Virginia.
On June 22, 2005, the Board
of Education approved the technical revision to incorporate House Bill 2790
language into the Regulations Governing the Licensure of School Personnel and
authorized personnel of the Department of Education to proceed with the
requirements of the Administrative Process Act. The Administrative Process Act (Section 2.2-4006 of the Code
of Virginia) exempts revisions to regulations that are necessary to conform
to changes in Virginia statutory law where no agency discretion is
involved. The APA process concluded on
September 22, 2005, and the technical amendment became effective.
The following Criteria for
Implementing Experiential Learning Credits for Alternate Route Applicants
Seeking Initial Licensure was approved by the Board of Education October 26,
2005:
Alternate Route Applicants Seeking Initial Licensure
Individuals
applying for an initial license through the alternate route as prescribed by
the Board of Education must meet the following criteria to be eligible to
request experiential learning credits in lieu of the coursework for the
endorsement (teaching) content area:
1.
Hold
a baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited college or university;
2.
Have
at least five years of documented full-time work experience that may include
specialized training related to the endorsement sought; and
3.
Have
met the qualifying score on the content knowledge assessment prescribed by the
Board of Education.
The
criteria do not apply to teachers of special education and elementary education
(prek-3 and prek-6); however, in administering the Licensure Regulations for
School Personnel, modifications may be made in exceptional cases by the
Superintendent of Public Instruction or designee.
If you have questions about the Criteria for Implementing
Experiential Learning Credits for Alternate
Route Applicants Seeking Initial Licensure, please contact Dr. Thomas A. Elliott, (Thomas.Elliott@doe.virginia.gov),
assistant superintendent for teacher education and education, at (804) 371-2522
or Mrs. Patty Pitts, (Patty.Pitts@doe.virginia.gov),
director of professional licensure, at (804) 371-2471.
JLD/psp