Teacher Certification for Virginia Public Schools
Certification for teachers of all levels in the Virginia public school system is overseen by the Virginia Department of Education. This branch of government, in cooperation with the state legislature, determines what tests candidates must successfully complete. They also decide which programs at colleges and universities in the state are approved in teacher certification curriculum.
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Virginia Approved Programs
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According to the Virginia Department of Education, if you attend college in Virginia and want to become a public school teacher, you are required to successfully complete a post-secondary program. A full list of approved programs at Virginia colleges and universities can be obtained through the Virginia Department of Education's website. If you are a teacher with a valid out-of-state teaching license, you may satisfy the educational requirements by submitting your official transcripts and copy of a valid teaching license, along with your certification application, to the Virginia Department of Education.
Certification Exams
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The Virginia Department of Education requires candidates for teacher certification to successfully complete certain qualifying exams. As of January 2006, candidates for certification in elementary education and special education are required to successfully complete the Virginia Communication and Literacy Assessment. If candidates are seeking endorsement in reading as a reading specialist or in elementary education, they are also required to successfully complete the Virginia Reading Assessment. Teachers seeking certification in secondary education are required to pass the Praxis II subject specific exams. These exams test a candidate both in content knowledge of a specific subject and how to effectively teach that subject.
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Child Abuse Recognition and Intervention Training
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All candidates for initial teacher certification and license renewal in Virginia are required to successfully complete child abuse recognition and prevention coursework from a training center or post-secondary institution that is certified by the Virginia Department of Education. This training educates teachers in how to identify the behavior of a student who is being abused as well as identify a student who may be at risk for abuse. A list of training centers and schools having state approval are available at the Virginia Department of Education's website.
Technology Standards
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According to the Virginia Legislature, all candidates wishing to attain teacher certification for the Virginia public school system are required to demonstrate certain proficiencies in technology. Each candidate for certification is required to demonstrate effective use of a computer and computer software. Candidates must also be able to use correct terms when describing technology used in the classroom and be able to successfully integrate computer productivity tools for use in the classroom.
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