Want to teach? No education degree? No problem at all!

Thomas A. Elliott

Date published: 3/18/2006

Dimitri P. Gruszka raises the important issue of teacher shortages ["Bring on the boomers and let 'em teach math, Virginia," March 10].

However, I would like to make it clear that men and women who are considering second careers as classroom teachers can substitute experiential learning in lieu of coursework.

Teacher shortages are not unique to Virginia. Research at the national level has projected significant and growing teacher shortages, particularly in the areas of science, mathematics, foreign languages, and special education.

To help alleviate this shortage, the Virginia Department of Education has several options for persons seeking to teach in Virginia classrooms, including the Career Switcher program.

In fact, in October 2005 the Virginia Board of Education approved criteria that allow persons seeking initial licensure as teachers to substitute experiential learning in place of coursework.

To be eligible, persons pursuing this alternative must hold a bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university, have at least five years of documented full-time work experience that may include specialized training related to the endorsement being sought, and have met the qualifying score on the content-knowledge assessment for the endorsement.

Additional and specific information on alternative licensure is available on the VDOE Web site or by contact- ing the Teacher Education and Licensure Division.

Richmond

The writer is assistant superintendent of the Division of Teacher Education and Licensure, Virginia Department of Education.

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Date published: 3/18/2006