8 Va. Admin. Code § 20-671-310

Current through Register Vol. 41, No. 8, December 2, 2024

Section 8VAC20-671-310 - Teachers and staffing

A. Each teacher shall meet the requirements of the Board of Education's Licensure Regulations for School Personnel (8VAC20-22).

1. Schools where students are instructed by content or grade level endorsed teachers shall have available appropriately endorsed special education teachers to case manage IEPs and to provide disability specific technical assistance and instruction.

2. Schools offering only self-contained classroom instruction shall have teachers endorsed in either special education general curriculum or special education adapted curriculum depending on the functioning levels of the students.

B. Staffing shall be in accordance with the Regulations Governing Special Education Programs for Children with Disabilities in Virginia (8VAC20-81) in the following settings:

1. A student with an Individualized Education Program (IEP) may be instructed with students without disabilities, as appropriate, and in accordance with the IEP.

2. A student with an IEP may receive services with children with the same disability or with children with different disabilities.

C. Teacher personnel assignments shall be in accordance with Regulations Governing Special Education Programs for Children with Disabilities in Virginia (8VAC20-81).

1. General education qualified personnel who are knowledgeable about the students and their special education may implement special services in collaboration with special education personnel.

2. Special education services include those services provided directly to the student and those provided indirectly.

D. Teacher caseloads shall be assigned in accordance with the Regulations Governing Special Education Programs for Children with Disabilities in Virginia (8VAC20-81).

1. If children with disabilities in a single building receive academic content area instruction from multiple special education teachers, the teachers' caseloads shall be determined by using a building average.

2. When special education personnel are assigned to provide services for students who do not have a disability under this chapter or are assigned to administrative duties, there shall be a reduction in the caseload specified in proportion to the percentage of school time on such assignment.

3. Special education personnel may be assigned to serve children who are not eligible for special education and related services as long as they hold appropriate licenses and endorsements for such assignments.

E. Staffing for early childhood special education shall be in accordance with the Regulations Governing Special Education Programs for Children with Disabilities in Virginia (8VAC20-81).

1. Children of preschool ages (two to five, inclusive) who are eligible for special education may receive early childhood special education.

2. Students receiving early childhood special education may receive services together with other preschool-aged children with the same or with different disabilities.

F. A school may offer for consideration of approval an alternative staffing plan in accordance with the department's procedures. The department may grant approval for alternative staffing levels and teaching assignments upon request from private schools for students with disabilities seeking to implement innovative programs that are not consistent with the staffing levels outlined in the Regulations Governing Special Education Programs for Children with Disabilities in Virginia (8VAC20-81).

8 Va. Admin. Code § 20-671-310

Derived From Virginia Register Volume 31, Issue 24, eff. 8/26/2015.

Statutory Authority: §§ 22.1-16 and 22.1-321 of the Code of Virginia.