31 May, 2019
Diversifying Virginia’s Teacher Workforce
I was proud to stand with Delegates Foy and Peake who championed legislation to diversity the teacher workforce. Yesterday, Governor Ralph Northam signed into law a bill that allows the Board of Education to issue a license to an individual seeking initial licensure who has not completed the professional assessments prescribed by the Board, if the teacher meets other certain criteria. The new law also removes the requirement that the Board of Education prescribe an assessment of basic skills for individuals seeking entry into an approved education preparation program and establish a minimum passing score for such assessment.
We know that tests don’t always give us an accurate picture of one’s ability. We hope that by reducing barriers, we can attract and retain teachers who are knowledgeable about their content and passionate about their students, but who may struggle with standardized tests, just as some of their own students might.
A full version of this bill can be found HERE.
#VAis4Learners #ThankATeacher
