1. Current Status
• The total number of teachers in Virginia totals 83,000. Fifteen percent of teachers represent minority groups whereas 35% of our students are minority. Women dominate the teacher ranks at the elementary school level, while men dominate the high school ranks. There is a serious imbalance.

• We are experiencing shortages of male teachers in the elementary level, minorities in all levels, and teachers in general in the areas of special education, science, math, technology, and foreign languages.

• In response, the Department of Education has developed the Virginia Teaching Scholarship Program (VTSLP).
2. Projected Status
   • It is projected that by the year 2010, 200,000 more teachers will be needed nationwide.

   • In Virginia, we will experience shortages by subject.

3. Challenge: Preserving Quality While Maintaining Quantity
   • Preserving Quality
     • New requirements for teacher preparation programs have been compiled and are aligned with the Standards of Learning. These become effective in the teacher colleges on July 1, 2000.

     • Praxis I is the screening test for applicants to teacher colleges and has three parts - reading writing, and math. Praxis I cut scores for Virginia are the highest in the nation.

     • Praxis II is the subject area test taken by aspiring teachers, and the cut scores in Virginia vary from subject to subject.

   • Maintaining Quantity
     • Alternative route to licensure is being developed in Virginia to address these needs. Alternative licensure has occurred in states where they have been tried. First, 90% of those who seek alternative licensure, 90% are men and 30% are minority. They attend to apply for licensure in the areas of math and science. They have higher retention rates. Offering an alternate route to licensure for mid-life career changers is one way states are dealing with the shortage issue. Statistics indicates that: 90% of the applicants in alternative route programs are male, contrasted with 25% in the traditional route. 30% are minority, contrasted with 10% in the traditional route.

     • Many aspire to teach in the areas of math and science, which are critical shortage areas. Retention rates are higher for teachers who are licensed through the traditional route.

4. Challenge: Retention
   • Almost 30% of teachers leave the profession in the first three years. Almost 40% leave in the first five years. Many of the teachers who leave report being overwhelmed by the tasks.

   • In Virginia, the Appropriation Act includes money for a Mentoring Program designed to help with this retention problem.

5. Why An Alternative Route to Licensure?
   • 200,000 new teachers are needed
   • A diverse teaching force is needed
   • Education reform and accountability
   • Smaller class size
   • Fewer teachers are entering the profession
   • There is a need for male and minority teachers
   • Qualified teachers are needed in urban and rural areas
   • There are critical shortages in math and science
   • Early teacher retirements increase the number of vacancies

6. Prerequisites for Alternative Route to Licensure
   • Application process
   • Degree and teaching requirements or equivalent
   • Virginia's cut scores for Praxis I and Praxis II

7. Steps to the Alternative Route to Licensure
   • Step 1: Summer Preparation Phase
     • Intensive preparation phase
       • Classroom management skills
       • Introduction to the SOLS
       • Teaching strategies

   • Step 2: One-year "Eligibility License"
     • "Eligibility License" awarded at the end ot the preparation phase
     • "Eligibility License" is a new license that will be effective July 1, to June 30

   • Step 3
     • Candidate seeks employment
     • Continued preparation during the first year of employment
     • Assignment of mentor

   • Step 4
     • Post preparation if needed
     • Recommendation of employer
     • "Eligibility License" becomes five-year, renewable license
     • License renewed every five years

8. Establishment of an Alternative Route for Military Personnel
   • February 25, 1999 - Pre-NOIRA Approved by Board of Education
   • May 24, 1999 - Pre-NORA Approved by Governor's Office and DPB
   • July 5, 1999 - NOIRA Published in Virginia Register
   • August 5, 1999 - NOIRA 30-day Comment Period Ended
   • September 7, 1999 - Task Force on Alternative Routes to Licensure Appointed
   • September 25, 1999 - First Meeting
   • October 28, 1999 - Board of Education Receives Proposed Regulations
   • May/June, 2000 - Alternative Route for Military Personnel Becomes Effective
   • Summer, 2000 - Summer Pilots Conducted

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Posted: December 11, 1998
By The Educational Policy Institute of Virginia Tech
sjanosik@vt.edu