Virginia Licensing Requirements

Approved Virginia Course and Competency Substitutions

Virginia Department of Education Licensure Requirements

LC Teach is approved by the Virginia Department of Education to satisfy in full the following professional preparation requirements for a Virginia teaching license for these levels: 

• Elementary education-grades preK-6
• Middle school education-grades 6-8
• Secondary education-grades 6-12
• Selected K-12 licensing programs (only when the candidate is provisionally licensed)

 3 credit hours:  Foundations of Education – All endorsements

Competencies:  Skills in this area shall be designed to develop an understanding of the historical, philosophical, and sociological foundations underlying the role, development and organization of public education in the United States.  Attention should be given to the legal status of teachers and students, including federal and state laws and regulations, school as an organization/culture, and contemporary issues in education.

3 credit hours:  Human Growth and Development – All

Competencies:  Skills in this area shall contribute to an understanding of the physical, social, emotional, and intellectual development of children and the ability to use this understanding in guiding learning experiences.  The interaction of children with individual differences – economic, social, racial, ethnic, religious, physical, and mental – should be incorporated to include skills contributing to an understanding of developmental disabilities and developmental issues related to but not limited to attention deficit disorders, substance abuse, child abuse, and family disruptions.

6 credit hours:  Curriculum and Instructional Methods appropriate to level(s) and subject(s) taught

Competencies: 

• Elementary education preK-6 curriculum and instructional procedures.  Skills in this area shall contribute to an understanding of the principles of learning; the application of skills in discipline – specific methodology; communication processes; classroom management; selection and use of materials, including media and computers; and evaluation of pupil performance.  The teaching methods, including for gifted and talented students and those students with disabling conditions, must be appropriate for the level of endorsement.
• Middle education 6-8 curriculum and instructional procedures.  Skills in this area shall contribute to an understanding of the principles of learning; the application of skills in discipline-specific methodology; communication processes, classroom management; selection and use of materials, including media and computers; and evaluation of pupil performance.  The teaching methods, including for gifted and talented students and students with disabling conditions, must be appropriate for the middle education endorsement.
• Secondary education 6-12 curriculum and instructional procedures.  Skills in this area shall contribute to understanding of the principles of learning; the application of skills in discipline-specific methodology; communication processes; classroom management; selection and use of materials, including media and computers; and evaluation of pupil performance.  Teaching methods appropriate for exceptional students, including gifted and talented and those with disabling conditions, and appropriate for the level of endorsement sought shall be included.  Curriculum and instructional procedures for secondary grades 6-12 endorsements must include middle and secondary education.

3 Credit hours:  Reading in the Content Area - Middle and Secondary

Competencies:  Skills in this area shall be designed to impart an understanding of comprehension skills in all content areas, including a repertoire of questioning strategies, summarizing and retelling skills, and strategies in literal, interpretive, critical, and evaluative comprehension, as well as the ability to foster appreciation of a variety of literature and independent reading.

3-6 hours:  Language Acquisition and Reading – 6 for Elementary and 3 for Middle

Competencies:

• Elementary education prek-6– language acquisition and reading:  6 semester hours.  Skills in this area shall be designed to impart a thorough understanding of the complex nature of language acquisition and reading, to include:  phonemic awareness, an understanding of sound/symbol relationships, explicit phonics instruction, syllables, phonemes, morphemes, decoding skills, word attack skills, and a knowledge of how phonics, syntax, and semantics interact.  Additional skills shall include proficiency in a wide variety of comprehension strategies, as well as the ability to foster appreciation of a variety of literature and independent reading.
• Middle education – language acquisition:  3 semester hours and reading in the content areas:  3 semester hours.  Skills in this area shall be designed to impart an understanding of comprehension skills in all content areas, including a repertoire of questioning strategies, summarizing and retelling skills, and strategies in literal, interpretive, critical, and evaluative comprehension, as well as the ability to foster appreciation of a variety of literature and independent reading.

Child Abuse and Neglect – Awareness and Reporting Requirements – All

 *In addition, all candidates for licensure must independently meet content course requirements as outlined by the Virginia Department of Education their website: www.pen.k12.va.us/VDOE/newvdoe/teached.html  or www.teachvirginia.org

For more information call 434/544-8382.