8VAC20-21-80. Alternative route to licensure.

A. “Career Switcher” Alternative Route to Licensure for Career Professions. An alternative route is available to military personnel career switchers who seek teaching endorsements pre-K through grade 12, with the exception of special education.

1. An individual seeking an “eligibility license” must meet the following

requirements: an application process; a bachelor’s degree from a regionally

accredited institution; the completion of teaching area requirements for an

endorsement in a content area as set forth in the Board of Education’s licensure

requirements outlined in the publication, Licensure Regulations for School

Personnel, July 1, 1998, or the equivalent through verifiable experience or

academic study; and Virginia qualifying scores on Praxis I (Reading, Writing,

and Mathematics) and Praxis II (subject area assessments). The “eligibility

license” is awarded at the end of Level I preparation. All components of the

career switcher alternative route for career professions must be completed by

the candidates.

2. The professional studies requirements must be completed during the course of a

single year through the first two levels of preparation that may be offered through a variety of delivery systems. If an employing agency recommends extending the “eligibility license” for a second year, the candidate will enter Level III of the program. Preparation programs must be approved by the Virginia Department of Education.

a. Intensive Level I Preparation Phase includes a minimum of 180 clock

hours of instruction (160 of the 180 hours must be included in the

summer intensive preparation phase; 20 hours of the 160 will involve

field experience). This phase includes, but is not limited to, curriculum and instruction, including technology, reading, and other specific course content relating to the Standards of Learning, differentiation of instruction, classroom/behavior management, human growth and development and field experience with summer school programs.

b. Level II Preparation During First Year of Employment

(1) Candidate seeks employment in Virginia with the one-year

“eligibility license”;

(2) Continued Level II preparation during the first year of

employment with a minimum of five seminars and/or

workshops that expand on the summer instructional categories

and topics. A variety of delivery techniques for the seminars

will be utilized for continued instruction;

(3) One year of successful, full-time teaching experience in an

accredited public or nonpublic school under the

one-year “eligibility license.” A trained mentor must be

assigned to assist the candidate through the alternative route.

The mentor teaching program, mentor selection criteria,

mentor training, and evaluation should be guided by the

Guidelines for Mentor Teacher Programs for Beginning and

Experienced Teacher, approved by the Board of Education.

(4) Upon completion of the career switcher alternative route to

licensure program and a recommendation from the Virginia

educational employing agency, the candidate will receive a

renewable license; and

(5) Evaluation criteria must be guided by the Guidelines for

Uniform Performance Standards and Evaluation Criteria for

Teachers, Administrators, and Superintendents.

c . Level III Preparation, If Required

(1) Post preparation, if required, will be conducted by

the Virginia employing educational agency to address the

area(s) where improvement is needed as identified in the

candidate’s individual professional improvement plan for the

candidate to complete the program ; and

(2) A candidate will receive a five-year renewable license upon

successful completion of Level III preparation and the

recommendation of the Virginia educational employing

agency,

3. Verification of program completion will be documented by the program

provider and the superintendent, or designee.

4. Providers for the career switcher alternative route to licensure program must adhere to regulations specified by the Board of Education. The programs must include the prescribed requirements for preparation, as well as candidate and program evaluations. These programs must be approved by the Department of Education.

B. An alternative route is available to individuals employed by an educational agency who

seek teaching endorsements pre-K through grade 12.

1. An individual seeking a Provisional License through the alternative route must

meet the requirements specified in 8VAC20-21-50 A 4.

2. The professional studies requirements for the appropriate level of endorsement

sought must be completed. A Virginia educational agency may submit to the

Superintendent of Public Instruction for approval an alternative program to meet

the professional studies requirements. The alternative program must include

training (seminar, internship, course work, etc.) in human growth and

development, curriculum and instructional procedures (including technology),

foundations of education, and reading.

3. One year of successful, full-time teaching experience in the appropriate teaching

area in an accredited public or nonpublic school must be completed. A fully-

licensed experienced teacher must be available in the school building to assist

the beginning teacher employed through the alternative route.