Section 600. Division Superintendent License

An individual may be a candidate for the list of eligible division superintendents and the renewable Division Superintendent License through the completion of the requirements in one of the following four options:

1. Option one. The individual must:

a. Hold an earned doctorate degree in educational administration or educational leadership from a regionally accredited college or university; and

b. Have completed five years of educational experience in a public or accredited nonpublic school, two of which must be teaching experience at the preK-12 level and two of which must be in administration/supervision at the preK-12 level.

2. Option two. The individual must:

a. Hold an earned master's degree from a regionally accredited college or university plus 30 completed hours beyond the master's degree;

b. Have completed requirements for administration and supervision preK-12 endorsement that includes the demonstration of competencies in the following areas:

(1) Knowledge and understanding of student growth and development, including:

(a) Applied learning and motivational theories;

(b) Curriculum design, implementation, evaluation and refinement;

(c) Principles of effective instruction, measurement, evaluation and assessment strategies;

(d) Diversity and its meaning for educational programs; and

(e) The role of technology in promoting student learning.

(2) Knowledge and understanding of systems and organizations, including:

(a) Systems theory and the change process of systems, organizations and individuals;

(b) The principles of developing and implementing strategic plans;

(c) Information sources and processing, including data collection and data analysis strategies;

(d) Learning goals in a pluralistic society; and

(e) Effective communication, including consensus building and negotiation skills.

(3) Knowledge and understanding of theories, models, and principles of organizational development, including:

(a) Operational procedures at the school and division/district level;

(b) Principles and issues of school safety and security;

(c) Human resources management and development, including adult learning and professional development models;

(d) Principles and issues related to fiscal operations of school management;

(e) Principles and issues related to school facilities and use of space;

(f) Legal issues impacting school operations and management; and

(g) Technologies that support management functions.

(4) Knowledge and understanding of the values and ethics of leadership, including:

(a) The role of leadership in modern society;

(b) Emerging issues and trends that impact the school community;

(c) Community resources and partnerships of school, family, business, government and higher education institutions;

(d) Community relations and marketing strategies and processes; and

(e) Conditions and dynamics of the diverse school community.

(5) Knowledge and understanding of the purpose of education and its role in a modern society, including:

(a) The philosophy and history of education; and

(b) Various ethical frameworks and professional ethics.

(6) Knowledge and understanding of principles of representative governance that undergird the system of American schools, including:

(a) The role of public education in developing and renewing a democratic society and an economically productive nation;

(b) The law as related to education and schooling;

(c) The political, social, cultural and economic systems and processes that impact schools;

(d) Models and strategies of change and conflict resolution as applied to the larger political, social, cultural and economic contexts of schooling;

(e) Global issues and forces affecting teaching and learning; and

(f) The importance of diversity and equity in a democratic society.

c. Have completed five years of educational experience in a public or accredited nonpublic school, two of which must be teaching experience at the preK-12 level and two of which must be in administration/supervision at the preK-12 level.

3. Option three. The individual must:

a. Hold an earned master's degree from a regionally accredited college or university;

b. Hold a current, valid out-of-state license with an endorsement as a division/district superintendent; and

c. Have completed five years of educational experience in a public or accredited nonpublic school, two of which must be teaching experience at the preK-12 level and two of which must be in administration/supervision.

4. Option four. The individual must:

a. Hold a master's degree, or its equivalent, from a regionally accredited college or university;

b. Have held a senior leadership position such as Chief Executive Officer or senior military officer; and

c. Be recommended by a school board interested in employing the individual as superintendent.

Historical Notes

Derived from Volume 23, Issue 25, eff. September 21, 2007.

Statutory Authority

§ 22.1-298.1 of the Code of Virginia.