SB74: Teacher licensure requirements; revising current statutes & teacher education program provisions.

Chief Patron

Edd Houck (D-17)
Served: 1984–

Progress

	Introduced
	Passed Committee
	Passed House
	Passed Senate
	Signed by Governor
	Became Law

Status

03/02/2006: signed by governor

View Entire History

Summary

Education; revision of teacher licensure requirements and regulations governing teacher education programs. Revises statutes governing teacher licensure regulations and regulation of teacher education programs by repealing the current statutes and reenacting teacher licensure and teacher education program provisions. The bill provides that the Board of Education must prescribe, by regulation, the requirements for licensure of teachers and other school personnel. The Board's regulations must include requirements that a person seeking initial licensure complete professional assessments prescribed by the Board and complete study in attention deficit disorder, gifted education, and family involvement in student learning. In addition, every person seeking initial licensure or licensure by renewal must demonstrate proficiency in the use of educational technology and receive professional development in instructional methods promoting student academic progress and Standards of Learning assessments. Persons seeking initial licensure or first-time licensure renewal must complete prescribed study in child abuse. All persons seeking licensure with an endorsement as a teacher of the blind and visually impaired must demonstrate proficiency in reading and writing Braille. The Board's regulations must also provide for licensure of principals and assistant principals contingent upon a prescribed assessment; criteria to effectuate the substitution of experiential learning for coursework for those seeking initial licensure through an alternate route; and licensure by reciprocity. The Board's regulations may provide for provisional licensure valid for up to three years.

The Board's regulations governing education preparation programs must provide for such programs offered by institutions of higher education, Virginia public school divisions, and certified providers for alternate routes to licensure and must prescribe an assessment of basic skills for individuals seeking entry into an approved education preparation program and accountability measures for approved education programs. Education preparation programs must meet the Board's requirements for accreditation and program approval. This bill is identical to HB 1057. View Full Text »