COMMONWEALTH OF VIRGINIA
DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
Division of Teacher Education and Licensure
P. O. Box 2120
Richmond, Virginia 23218-2120
ENDORSEMENT REQUIREMENTS

MIDDLE EDUCATION 6-8 (ADD-ON)

Effective July 1, 1998, individuals seeking a Middle Education 6-8 endorsement in Virginia must meet requirements for at least two areas of concentration in English, history/social science, mathematics, and science. Individuals must have completed 21 semester hours in each area of concentration as well as satisfy the specified content required in the area. The areas of concentration are noted on the license, and the license holder is authorized to teach only in the areas of concentration appearing on the license.
Part I: Areas of Concentration
Applicants must complete at least TWO areas of concentration selected from the areas of English, Mathematics, Science, or History and Social Science. The evaluation indicates the requirements to be completed for all four areas of concentration; however, you must select a minimum of two areas of concentration that will be noted on your license. You will be authorized to teach only in the areas of concentration appearing on your license.
AREAS OF CONCENTRATION-(At least two areas of concentration with 21 semester hours are required.):
REQUIREMENTS
COMPLETED
REQUIREMENTS TO BE COMPLETED
(MUST COMPLETE NUMBER OF SEM. HOURS INDICATED AS WELL AS SPECIFIED COURSES)

21 SEMESTER HOURS IN ENGLISH TO INCLUDE THE SPECIFIC AREAS LISTED:
Language (history, structure, and grammar)
Literature
Advanced Composition
Interpersonal Communication/Speech

   
21 SEMESTER HOURS IN HISTORY AND SOCIAL SCIENCE TO INCLUDE THE SPECIFIC AREAS LISTED.
American History
World History
Economics
Geography
International Affairs		    
21 SEMESTER HOURS IN MATHEMATICS TO INCLUDE THE SPECIFIC AREAS LISTED.
Algebra
Geometry
Probability and Statistics
Applications of Mathematics 		   
21 SEMESTER HOURS IN SCIENCE TO INCLUDE THE SPECIFIC AREAS LISTED.
Biology
Chemistry
Physics
Earth and Space Science

Laboratory course in two of the following areas:
biology, chemistry, physics, earth and space science.

   
PART II: PROFESSIONAL STUDIES
(ACCEPTABLE COURSE WORK IN PROFESSIONAL STUDIES MUST BE COMPLETED AT A REGIONALLY ACCREDITED FOUR-YEAR INSTITUTION.)
PROFESSIONAL STUDIES
REQUIREMENTS
18 SEMESTER HOURS
REQUIREMENTS
COMPLETED
REQUIREMENTS TO BE COMPLETED

1. MIDDLE EDUCATION 6-8 CURRICULUM AND INSTRUCTIONAL PROCEDURES: 3 semester hours. 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. Pre-student teaching experiences (field experiences) should be evident within these skills.    
2. READING IN THE CONTENT AREA: 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.    
3. SUPERVISED CLASSROOM EXPERIENCE. Student teaching or one year of successful, full-time teaching experience in grades 6-8 in an accredited public or nonpublic school may be accepted in lieu of the supervised teaching experience    

"Individuals applying for an initial license through the alternate route as prescribed by the Board of Education must meet the following criteria to be eligible to request experiential learning credits in lieu of the coursework for the endorsement (teaching) content area":

  • Hold a baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited college or university;
  • Have atleast five years of documented full-time work experience that may include
    specialized training related to the endorsement sought; and
  • Have met qualifying score on the content knowledge assessment prescribed by the Board of Education.