W. Va. Code R. § 126-161-14

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

Section 126-161-14 - WVBE Approval of Training(s) and Course(s) in Substantive Alignment with Pedagogical Standards

14.1. W. Va. Code § 18A-3-2a(a)(1)(C) identifies conditions by which a person may be issued a Professional Teaching Certificate for teaching in the public schools; and W. Va. Code § 18A-3-2a(a)(4) provides that teaching certificates granted pursuant to these conditions are equivalent to certificates granted to graduates of WVBE-approved teacher preparation programs at higher education institutions. Programs which consist of training and course(s) used to meet these conditions are separate from the programs established under W. Va. Code §§ 18A-3-1b, 18A-3-1g, and 18A-3-1h, and 18A-3-1j. Policy 5202 provides the minimum requirements, inclusive of grade point average, for the licensure of educational personnel to be employed in the public schools of West Virginia, including any licenses program participants may qualify to receive and the Professional Teaching Certificate. These programs are for initial teacher certification.

14.2. WVBE approval processes for officially recognizing pedagogical standards and programs as adequate pursuant to W. Va. Code § 18A-3-2a(a)(1)(C) are separate from requirements of W. Va. Code §§ 18A-3-1a through 18A-3-1j and only subject to provisions as described in section 14.

14.3. Process for WVBE Approval of Programs and Supplemental Pedagogical Standards.

14.3.a. Upon requesting an application from the WVDE, programs and pedagogical standards pursuant to W. Va. Code § 18A-3-2a(a)(1)(C) may be introduced for WVDE evaluation and WVBE approval by an applicant requesting to provide programs aligned to W. Va. Code § 18A-3-2a(a)(1)(C). An option to officially request pedagogical standards be evaluated for WVBE approval will be included as part of the application for WVBE approval of programs which consist of specific pedagogical trainings and course(s) that substantially align to pedagogical standards of W. Va. Code § 18A-3-2a(a)(1)(C).

14.3.b. A review committee shall provide a summary report with recommendations to the WVBE. If approved by the WVBE, the new pedagogical standards will be recognized as adequate pursuant to W. Va. Code § 18A-3-2a(a)(1)(C). A complete list of WVBE-approved pedagogical standards can be found on the WVDE website.

14.3.c. If the proposed set of standards are not approved by the WVBE the applicant will receive notice of the decision with feedback, and the application will be denied. The applicant may submit a revised application aligned to WVBE-approved pedagogical standards.

14.4. Candidates for licensure must comply with provisions of section 7.7 regarding WVBE-approved exams, assessments, and passing score requirements.

14.5. Additional Instructional Requirements of Programs Pursuant to W. Va. Code § 18A-3-2a(a)(1)(C) for Elementary Education.

14.5.a. Educator preparation programs preparing candidates seeking licensure for elementary education must provide training and instruction to:

14.5.a.1. Include instruction in state-adopted grade-level content standards, foundational reading and mathematics skills, and how to implement reading instruction using high-quality instructional materials; and

14.5.a.2. Provide effective instruction and intervention for students with reading and mathematics deficiencies, including students with characteristics of dyslexia or dyscalculia; and

14.5.a.3. Understand and use student data to make instructional decisions.

14.5.b. Programs for specific learning disabilities, including dyslexia and dyscalculia, should ascribe to a common set of professional standards for the benefit of the students served. The basis of ascribing to common standards requires recognizing common characteristics of the disabilities. The International Dyslexia Association offers widely-adopted and consistent standards to guide the preparation, certification, and professional development for teachers of reading and related literacy skills in classroom, remedial, and clinical settings.

W. Va. Code R. § 126-161-14