W. Va. Code R. § 126-136-12

Current through Register Vol. XLI, No. 50, December 13, 2024

Section 126-136-12 - [Effective until 1/11/2025] Early Childhood Classroom Assistant Teacher (ECCAT) Authorization, Paraprofessional Certification, and Aide V/VI Assistant Teacher

12.1. ECCAT I.

12.1.a. General Criteria. An ECCAT I Temporary Authorization for working in a pre-k through grade 3 classroom may be issued to a person who is currently employed as an ECCAT and holds a high school diploma, WVBE-approved high school equivalency exam or equivalent, or a degree, if applicable, through an accredited IHE.

12.1.a.1 Any person employed as an ECCAT in a pre-k through grade 3 program (W. Va. Code § 18-5-18) shall hold the position of either ECCAT I, ECCAT II, or ECCAT III.

12.1.b. Conditions for Issuance. The candidate for licensure must submit evidence of completing the following criteria: minimum of a high school diploma, WVBE-approved high school equivalency exam or equivalent, or a degree, if applicable, through an accredited IHE; and submission of commitment verifying the candidate's agreement to complete coursework, approved by the WVDE, in the areas of preschool special education, child development, and early childhood language, literacy, and numeracy; and meet the criminal history record check requirements; and

12.1.b.1. Academic Assessment. Candidates hired by a county board of education must have met a rigorous standard of quality and demonstrate, through a formal state-approved academic assessment, the ability to assist in instructing, reading readiness, writing readiness, and mathematics readiness, as appropriate. Candidates who have taken and passed the current state competency exam for aides, administered by the county, developed pursuant to W. Va. Code § 18A-4-8e have satisfied this requirement; or hold a valid or expired Professional Teaching Certificate or its equivalent; and

12.1.b.2. Receive the recommendation of the candidate's employer; either the employing county superintendent or the director of the employing collaborative community program under contract by the county board of education.

12.1.c. Renewal of Initial ECCAT I Temporary Authorization. The candidate for licensure must submit evidence of completing the following criteria: complete a minimum of three semester hours of unduplicated coursework, approved by the WVDE, in the areas of early childhood special education, child development, early childhood language, literacy, and numeracy; or begin a new position as an ECCAT I; or verification of completion of semester hours for the Apprenticeship for Child Development Program (ACDS) reflected through a seal-bearing certificate OR verification of semester hours for CDA Credential verified by a CDA Advisor's signature; or completion certificates of approved CTE coursework; and

12.1.c.1 Receive the recommendation of the candidate's employer; either the employing county superintendent or the director of the employing collaborative community program under contract by the county board of education.

12.1.d. Validity Period. The temporary Authorization shall be valid for one school year and may be renewed twice.

12.1.e. Grade Extension for Grades 1 through 3. Candidates who hold an ECCAT Temporary Authorization issued with an effective date prior to July 1, 2023, are eligible to add grades 1-3 by completing the required WVDE-approved coursework and submitting application.

12.2. ECCAT II Permanent Authorization.

12.2.a. General Criteria. The ECCAT Permanent Authorization for working in a pre-k through grade 3 classroom may be issued to a person who is currently employed as an ECCAT and holds a high school diploma, WVBE-approved high school equivalency exam or equivalent, or a degree, if applicable, through an accredited IHE, and has completed the required WVDE-approved coursework.

12.2.a.1. Any person employed as an aide in a pre-k through grade 3 program (W. Va. Code § 18-5-18) shall hold the position of either ECCAT I, ECCAT II, or ECCAT III.

12.2.b. Conditions for Issuance. The candidate for licensure must submit evidence of completing the following criteria: met a rigorous standard of quality and demonstrate, through a formal state-approved academic assessment which includes a measurement of: knowledge of, and the ability to assist in instructing, reading, writing, and mathematics; and knowledge of, and the ability to assist in instructing, reading readiness, writing readiness, and mathematics readiness, as appropriate. Candidates who have taken and passed the current state competency exam for aides, administered by the county, developed pursuant to W. Va. Code § 18A-4-8e have satisfied this requirement; or hold a valid or expired Professional Teaching Certificate or its equivalent; and meet the criminal history record check requirements and

12.2.b.1. Verify completion of the program for the ACDS reflected through a seal-bearing certificate issued by the United States Department of Labor; or verification of completion of program for CDA Credential verified by a current seal-bearing certificate issued by CDA National Credentialing Program; or complete a minimum of three semester hours of unduplicated coursework approved by the WVDE in the areas of early childhood special education, child development, and early childhood language, literacy, and numeracy; and

12.2.b.2. If the candidate is currently employed by a county board of education or collaborative community program under contract by the county board of education, the candidate must receive the recommendation of the employing county superintendent or the director of the employing collaborative community program under contract by the county board of education. If the educator is not employed by a county board of education, the educator must secure a recommendation from the educator's most recent education supervisor provided that such employment severance does not exceed one year. If employment severance in an educational setting is greater than one year, the candidate must secure the recommendation from the current employer or other eligible individual.

12.2.c. Validity Period. The ECCAT II Permanent Authorization shall continue to be valid unless surrendered, suspended or revoked.

12.2.d. Grade Extension for Grades 1 through 3. Candidates who hold an ECCAT Permanent Authorization issued with an effective date prior to July 1, 2023, are eligible to add grades 1-3 by completing the required WVDE-approved coursework and submitting application.

12.3. ECCAT III Permanent Authorization and Permanent Paraprofessional Certificate.

12.3.a. General Criteria. The ECCAT III Permanent Authorization for working in a pre-k or kindergarten classroom may be issued to a person who holds a high school diploma, WVBE-approved high school equivalency exam or equivalent, or a degree, if applicable, through an accredited IHE, and has completed the required WVDE-approved coursework.

12.3.a.1. Any person employed as an aide in a pre-k through grade 3 program (W. Va. Code § 18-5-18) shall hold the position of either ECCAT I, ECCAT II, or ECCAT III.

12.3.b. Conditions for Issuance. The candidate for licensure must submit evidence of completing the following criteria: candidate's hired by a county board of education must have met a rigorous standard of quality and demonstrate, through a formal state-approved academic assessment which includes a measurement of: knowledge of, and the ability to assist in instructing, reading, writing, and mathematics; and knowledge of, and the ability to assist in instructing, reading readiness, writing readiness; and mathematics readiness, as appropriate. Candidates that have taken and passed the current state competency exam for aides, administered by the county, developed pursuant to W. Va. Code § 18A-4-8e have satisfied this requirement; and hold a valid or expired Professional Teaching Certificate or its equivalent; and

12.3.b.1. Verify completion of the program for the ACDS reflected through a seal-bearing certificate issued by the United States Department of Labor; or verification of completion of program for CDA Credential verified by a current seal-bearing certificate issued by CDA National Credentialing Program; or complete a minimum of three semester hours of unduplicated coursework approved by the WVDE in the areas of early childhood special education, child development, and early childhood language, literacy, and numeracy and hold a valid Permanent Paraprofessional Certificate; and

12.3.b.2. If the candidate is currently employed by a county board of education or collaborative community program under contract by the county board of education, the candidate must receive the recommendation of the employing county superintendent or the director of the employing collaborative community program under contract by the county board of education. If the candidate is not employed by a county board of education, the candidate must secure a recommendation from the candidate's most recent education supervisor provided that such employment severance does not exceed one year. If employment severance in an educational setting is greater than one year, the candidate must secure the recommendation from the current employer or other eligible individual.

12.3.c. Validity Period. An individual who has held or holds an aide title and becomes employed as an ECCAT shall hold a multi-classification status that includes aide and/or paraprofessional titles. The authorization shall continue to be valid unless surrendered, suspended or revoked.

12.3.d. Grade Extension for Grades 1 through 3. Candidates who hold an ECCAT III Permanent Authorization issued with an effective date prior to July 1, 2023, are eligible to add grades 1-3 by completing the required WVDE-approved coursework and submitting application.

12.4. Permanent Paraprofessional Certificate.

12.4.a. General Criteria. A Paraprofessional certificate may be issued to a person who has completed: the general requirements specified in section 9; and the general conditions for issuance identified in section 12.4.b. The Paraprofessional Certificate entitles the holder to serve in a support capacity including, but not limited to, facilitating the instruction and direct or indirect supervision of pupils under the supervision of a professional educator. The Permanent Paraprofessional Certificate shall continue to be valid unless surrendered, suspended, or revoked.

12.4.b. Conditions for Issuance. The candidate for licensure must submit evidence of satisfying 36 semester hours of postsecondary education reflected on an official seal-bearing transcript or its equivalent in certificates of completion from WVDE's WVLearns courses in the following areas: at least three semester hours each of college/university credit or its equivalent in reading, writing, and mathematical computations; or passing the respective WVBE-required basic skills exam in reading, writing, and mathematics; or meeting one of the exemptions identified in section 10. A valid Apprenticeship for Child Development Specialist (ACDS) certificate issued by the United States Department of Labor for those who entered the program during/after Fall 2002 satisfies the reading requirement; and

12.4.b.1. General Studies. The candidate must have completed successfully at least six semester hours of college/university credit or its equivalent from the humanities, fine arts, and/or physical, biological or social sciences. A valid Apprenticeship for Child Development Specialist (ACDS) certificate issued by the United States Department of Labor for those who entered the program during/after Fall 2002 satisfies all six semester hours of general studies course requirements; and

12.4.b.2. Computer Literacy. The candidate must have successfully completed at least three semester hours of college/university credit or its equivalent in computer literacy; and

12.4.b.3. Special Education. The candidate must have successfully completed at least three semester hours of college/university credit or its equivalent in special education. Documentation of a minimum of two years of successful experience which included special needs children and a minimum of 10 clock hours of in-service training directly related to special education may be substituted for the college/university credit provided that such experience is acquired in the public education classroom setting while the candidate is under direct supervision of a licensed public educator; or if ECCAT I or II authorized, successful completion of the WVLearns Early Childhood Special Needs Inclusion course offered through the WVDE; or hold a valid CDA certificate issued by the Council for Professional Recognition or completion of the CTE ECCAT program of study; or hold a valid ACDS certificate issued after 2002 by the United States Department of Labor; and

12.4.b.4. Classroom Management. The candidate must have completed successfully at least three semester hours of college/university credit or its equivalent in classroom management acquired in the public classroom setting or a non-public school that has been accredited through a WVBE-approved accreditation agency as prescribed in W. Va. 126CSR13C, Policy 2330, Non-public School Accreditation (Policy 2330). Documentation of a minimum of two years of experience in the successful use of classroom management skills may be substituted for college/university credit provided that such experience is acquired in the public education classroom setting or a non-public school that has been accredited through a WVBE-approved accreditation agency as prescribed in W. Va. 126CSR13C, Policy 2330, Non-public School Accreditation (Policy 2330) while the candidate is under direct supervision of a licensed public educator; or hold a valid Apprenticeship for Child Development Specialist certificate issued by the United States Department of Labor for those who entered the program during/after Fall 2002; or hold a valid CDA certificate issued by the Council for Professional Recognition; and

12.4.b.5. Human Growth and Development. The candidate must have completed successfully at least three semester hours of college/university credit or its equivalent in human growth and development or psychology, or hold a valid Apprenticeship for Child Development Specialist certificate issued by the United States Department of Labor for those who entered the program during/after Fall 2002; or if ECCAT I or II authorized or successful completion of the WVLearns Early Childhood Child Development course offered through the WVDE; or documented completion of the CTE ECCAT program of study; or hold a valid CDA certificate issued by the Council for Professional Recognition; and

12.4.b.6. Electives. The candidate must have completed successfully nine semester hours of electives related to public instruction or its equivalent. One elective requirement may be met if the candidate holds a valid Apprenticeship for Child Development Specialist certificate issued by the United States Department of Labor for those who entered the program during/after Fall 2002; or holds a valid CDA certificate issued by the Council for Professional Recognition; and

12.4.b.7. Academic Assessment. The candidate must have met a rigorous standard of quality and demonstrate, through a formal state-approved academic assessment which includes a measurement of: knowledge of, and the ability to assist in instructing, reading, writing, and mathematics; and knowledge of, and the ability to assist in instructing, reading readiness, writing readiness, and mathematics readiness, as appropriate. Paraprofessionals must meet WVBE requirements for the Paraprofessional Certificate. Paraprofessionals who have taken and passed the current state competency exam for aides, administered by the county, developed pursuant to W. Va. Code § 18A-4-8e, have satisfied this requirement; or

12.4.b.8. Hold a valid out-of-state Professional Teaching Certificate or a valid or expired West Virginia Professional Teaching Certificate or its equivalent; fulfills all coursework and assessment criteria; and receive the recommendation of the employing county superintendent.

12.5. Certificate for Paraprofessional Educators. Educational Sign Language Interpreter I and II.

12.5.a. Initial Paraprofessional Certificate Educational Sign Language Interpreter I.

12.5.a.1. General Criteria. The Initial Paraprofessional Certificate Educational Sign Language Interpreter I may be issued to a person meeting the requirements specified in section 12.4.a and section 12.4.b or section 12.4.b.8 or equivalent. A passing score on the Educational Interpreter Performance Assessment-Written Test (EIPA-WT) satisfies the general conditions for issuance for the following: three semester hours of reading; and three semester hours each of special education, human growth and development or psychology, and social studies; and nine semester hours of electives related to public instruction or its equivalent; and

12.5.a.2. Conditions of Issuance. The candidate for the Initial Paraprofessional Certificate for Educational Sign Language Interpreter I must submit evidence of completing the following criteria: a minimum score of 3.00 on the Educational Interpreter Proficiency Assessment (EIPA); or valid National Association of the Deaf (NAD) Certification-Level III or higher; or valid Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf (RID) Certification; or valid National Interpreter Certification (NIC). The NIC test/certification will be available 2008; or valid state Quality Assurance Screening (QAS) Level II.

12.5.a.3. Validity Period. The Initial Paraprofessional Certificate for Educational Interpreter that is effective on or after January 1 may be issued as an Initial Paraprofessional Certificate Educational Interpreter valid until June 30 of the following school year. The Initial Paraprofessional Certificate Educational Interpreter may not be renewed more than two times.

12.5.a.4. Renewal of the Initial Paraprofessional Certificate for Educational Sign Language Interpreter I. The candidate for licensure must provide evidence of completing the following criteria: complete a minimum of 15 clock hours of WVDE-approved professional learning activities, and, beginning July 1, 2021, trauma-informed best practices; and satisfy the requirements of the West Virginia Registry of Interpreters; and receive recommendation of the employing county superintendent.

12.5.b. Permanent Paraprofessional Certificate for Educational Sign Language Interpreter II.

12.5.b.1. General Criteria. The Permanent Paraprofessional Certificate for Educational Sign Language Interpreter II may be issued to a candidate meeting the requirements specified in section 12.5.a.1 and section 12.5.b.2. The Permanent Paraprofessional Certificate-Educational Sign Language Interpreter II shall continue to be valid unless surrendered, suspended or revoked.

12.5.b.2. Specific Conditions for Issuance. The candidate for the Permanent Paraprofessional Certificate for Educational Interpreter must submit evidence of completing the following criteria: minimum score of 3.5 on the EIPA; or valid NAD Certification-Level IV or higher; or valid RID Certification; or valid NIC; or valid state QAS Level III; and passing score on the EIPA-Written Test for Content Knowledge. Satisfy the requirements of the West Virginia Registry of Interpreters and receive the recommendation of the employing county superintendent.

12.5.c. Restricted Initial Paraprofessional Educational Sign Language Interpreter.

12.5.c.1. General Criteria. The candidate for the Restricted Initial Paraprofessional Educational Interpreter must meet all issuance requirements as stated in sections 12.5.a.1 and 12.5.b.2 except for the minimum required assessment scores or certificate levels.

12.5.c.2. Conditions of Issuance. Candidates shall submit evidence of the following: have taken one of the required assessments at least one time; submit a completed Professional Development Plan; agreement to attend all WVDE-approved trainings as stipulated by WVDE officials; and receive the recommendation from the employing county superintendent.

12.5.c.3. Validity Period. The Restricted Initial Paraprofessional Certificate for Educational Sign Language Interpreter shall be valid for one school year and may be renewed two times.

12.5.c.4. Renewal of the Restricted Paraprofessional Certificate for Educational Sign Language Interpreter. The candidate for licensure must provide evidence of completing the following criteria: complete a minimum of 15 clock hours of WVDE-approved professional learning activities, and, beginning July 1, 2021, trauma-informed best practices; submit a completed Professional Development Plan and satisfy the requirements of the West Virginia Registry of Interpreters; and provide assessment scores yearly with evidence of progress towards meeting the required scores as stated in section 12.5.b.2; and receive the recommendation from the employing county superintendent.

12.6. Aide V. Special Education Assistant Teacher.

12.6.a. General Criteria. A Temporary Authorization may be issued to a person who is currently employed as a Special Education Assistant Teacher and holds a high school diploma, WVBE-approved high school equivalency exam or equivalent, or a degree, if applicable, through an accredited IHE. The temporary Authorization shall be valid for one school year and may be renewed twice.

12.6.b. General Conditions for Issuance. Special Education Assistant Teacher Temporary Authorization. The candidate for licensure must submit evidence of completing the following criteria: minimum of a high school diploma, WVBE-approved high school equivalency exam or equivalent, or a degree, if applicable, through an accredited IHE; and submission of commitment verifying the candidate's agreement to complete coursework approved by the WVDE.

12.6.c. Renewal of Special Education Assistant Teacher Temporary Authorization. The candidate for licensure must submit evidence of completing a minimum of one course of the required WVDE- approved coursework; and receive the recommendation of the employing county superintendent.

12.7. Aide V. Special Education Assistant Teacher Permanent Authorization.

12.7.a. General Criteria. The Special Education Assistant Teacher Permanent Authorization shall continue to be valid unless surrendered, suspended, or revoked. The authorization may be issued to a person who holds a high school diploma, WVBE-approved high school equivalency exam or equivalent, or a degree, if applicable, through an accredited IHE and has completed the required WVDE-approved coursework.

12.8. Aide VI. Behavioral Support Assistant Teacher.

12.8.a. General Criteria. A Temporary Authorization may be issued to a person who is currently employed as a Behavioral Support Assistant Teacher and holds a high school diploma, WVBE-approved high school equivalency exam or equivalent, or a degree, if applicable, through an accredited IHE. The temporary Authorization shall be valid for one school year and may be renewed once.

12.8.b. General Conditions for Issuance. Behavioral Support Assistant Teacher Temporary Authorization. The candidate for licensure must submit evidence of completing the following criteria: minimum of a high school diploma, WVBE-approved high school equivalency exam or equivalent, or a degree, if applicable, through an accredited IHE; and submission of commitment verifying the candidate's agreement to complete coursework approved by the WVDE.

12.8.c. Renewal of Behavioral Support Assistant Teacher Temporary Authorization. The candidate for licensure must submit evidence of completing the required WVDE- approved coursework; and receive the recommendation of the employing county superintendent.

12.9. Aide VI. Behavioral Support Assistant Teacher Permanent Authorization.

12.9.a. General Criteria. The Behavioral Support Assistant Teacher Permanent Authorization shall continue to be valid unless surrendered, suspended or revoked. The authorization may be issued to a person who holds a high school diploma, WVBE-approved high school equivalency exam or equivalent, or a degree, if applicable, through an accredited IHE and has completed the required WVDE-approved coursework.

W. Va. Code R. § 126-136-12