Section 20. Administering the regulations

Part II. Administering the Regulations

A. Professional education programs in Virginia shall obtain national accreditation from the National Council for the Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE), the Teacher Education Accreditation Council (TEAC), or a process approved by the Board of Education.

B. Teacher candidates shall complete academic degrees in the arts and sciences (or equivalent), except in health, physical, and career and technical education. Candidates in early/primary education preK-3, elementary education (preK-6) middle education (6-8), and special education programs may complete a major in interdisciplinary studies or its equivalent.

C. Professional studies coursework and methodology, excluding field experiences, are limited to 24 semester hours for any baccalaureate degree program (or equivalent thereof) in early/primary education (preK-3), elementary education (preK-6), and special education. All other baccalaureate degree programs (or equivalent thereof) shall not exceed 18 semester hours of professional coursework and methodology, excluding field experiences.

D. Institutions of higher education seeking approval of an education program shall be accredited by a regional accrediting agency.

E. If a professional education program fails to maintain accreditation, enrolled candidates shall be permitted to complete their programs of study. Professional education programs shall not admit new candidates. Candidates shall be notified of program approval status.

F. Education programs shall ensure that candidates demonstrate proficiency in the use of educational technology for instruction and complete study in child abuse recognition and intervention.

G. Standards and procedures for the review and approval of each education program shall adhere to procedures for administering the regulations as defined in this section and in 8VAC20-542-40, 8VAC20-542-50, and 8VAC20-542-70. These procedures shall result in biennial recommendations to the Board of Education for one of the following three ratings: "approved," "approved with stipulations," or "approval denied."

H. Education programs shall be approved under these regulations biennially based on compliance with the criteria described in 8VAC20-542-40.

I. Education programs shall submit to the Department of Education, on behalf of each education program under consideration, a Program Compliance Certification Affidavit in accordance with department procedures and timelines.

J. The education program administrator shall maintain copies of approved programs and required reports.

K. The Department of Education may conduct on-site visits to review programs and verify data.

L. The Advisory Board on Teacher Education and Licensure (ABTEL) is authorized to review and make recommendations to the Board of Education on approval of Virginia education programs for school personnel. The Board of Education has final authority on program approval.

M. Modifications may be made by the Superintendent of Public Instruction in the administration of these regulations. Proposed modifications shall be made in writing to the Superintendent of Public Instruction, Commonwealth of Virginia.

Historical Notes

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

Statutory Authority

§§ 22.1-298.2 and 22.1-305.2 of the Code of Virginia.