W. Va. Code R. § 126-161-9

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

Section 126-161-9 - Alternative Certification Licensure, Comprehensive Evaluation, and Rights of the Teacher

9.1. Alternative Certification Licensure.

9.1.a. The alternative program teacher certificate is issued initially for one year and can be renewed twice for a total of three years. The teacher applying for renewal must meet all the following each year:

9.1.a.1. show satisfactory progress in the alternative program for the education of teachers.

9.1.a.2. remain enrolled in and actively participates in a WVBE-approved alternative program for the education of teachers.

9.1.a.3. remain employed in the critical need and shortage position for which the teacher was hired in a school that is part of the partnership of a WVBE-approved alternative program for the education of teachers.

9.1.a.4. receive satisfactory evaluations pursuant to W. Va. Code § 18A-2-12 and has the recommendation of the county superintendent.

9.1.b. In the event that the alternative program teacher certificate needs to be renewed and the individual has been released from the qualifying vacancy due to a reduction in force, the alternative teaching certificate may be renewed only if the individual is employed in an area of critical need and shortage that is for the same endorsement and programmatic levels received on the initial alternative teaching certificate in order to continue the program.

9.1.c. Upon successful completion of all conversion requirements as listed in Policy 5202, an alternative teaching certificate may be converted to a provisional teaching certificate. The provisional teaching certificate is issued initially for one year and can be renewed twice for a total of three years. Upon successful completion of all conversion requirements as listed in Policy 5202, a provisional teaching certificate may be converted to a professional teaching certificate. Complete requirements for issuance of alternative certification licensure and professional licensure are detailed within Policy 5202.

9.2. Comprehensive Evaluation.

9.2.a. At the conclusion of an approved alternative program for the preparation of teachers, the approved education provider shall prepare and submit a comprehensive evaluation report to the State Superintendent on the alternative program teacher's performance, which includes a recommendation regarding provisional licensure of the alternative program teacher of approved, insufficient, or disapproved.

9.2.a.1. Approved recommends issuance of a provisional teaching certificate to include the name of the teacher and the endorsement(s) and grade levels for licensure as listed in Appendix A of Policy 5202.

9.2.a.2. Insufficient recommends that a provisional teaching certificate not be issued, but that the candidate be allowed to seek reentry on one or more occasions in the future to an approved alternative program for the education of teachers.

9.2.a.3. Disapproved recommends that a provisional teaching certificate not be issued to the alternative program teacher. The alternative program teacher will not be allowed to enter into another approved alternative program for the education of teachers in West Virginia, but it will not prohibit the alternative program teacher from pursuing teacher certification through a traditional route in other approved programs for the education of teachers in West Virginia.

9.2.b. The approved education provider shall provide, at the end of the program, the alternative program teacher with a copy of the alternative program teacher's written evaluation report and recommendations before the approved education provider submits the report to the State Superintendent. The alternative program teacher has the right to appeal the alternative certification program provider's recommendation, provided that the written appeal is in accordance with the certification appeals process established by the WVBE and is submitted within 15 days of the alternative certification program teacher's receipt of the alternative program provider's recommendation.

9.3. Rights of the Alternatively Certified Teacher.

9.3.a. An alternative program teacher certificate is the same as a professional teaching certificate for the purpose of issuing a continuing contract. Participation in an alternative education program pursuant to this policy shall not affect any rights, privileges, or benefits to which the participant otherwise would be entitled as a regular employee and may not alter any rights, privileges, or benefits of participants on continuing contract status.

W. Va. Code R. § 126-161-9