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Special Education News & Announcements

This page will be updated periodically with important announcements for master's degree and licensure only students.

  • Requesting a field experience (practicum):  Field Experience Request Forms must be submitted at time of registration.  Students can complete the forms online at the TES website: http://education.odu.edu/tes/ ALL students must register at the TES website if they are completing a course with a practicum.  If the student is teaching and will use his/her students to meet the practicum requirements, he/she must complete the "comments" section of the form with the following statement: "I am currently employed at ___________________ school as a __________________.  I will do my practicum at my school.  I do not need a placement."  Applications and comments must be completed by the deadline for the semester.
  • Do you have questions about Praxis? Try this link: http://www.ets.org/Media/Tests/PRAXIS/pdf/5081_top10_Flyer.pdf
  • Regarding the use of the VCLA, the Virginia Department of Education issued this notice on February 2, 2006:Individuals whose applications for initial licenses and passing scores for Praxis I (Reading, Writing, and Mathematics) are received in the Office of Licensure, Department of Education, on or before December 31, 2006, will not be required to take and pass the VCLA.During this period of time, applicants may submit Praxis I or the VCLA to satisfy the academic skills assessment.All other tests (Praxis II [if applicable] and VRA, if applicable) will be required. Please see the question and answer document for more details.
  • The American Association of State Colleges and Universities has named the Commonwealth Special Education Endorsement Program as one of the 2005 recipients of the Christa McAuliffe Award for Teaching Excellence.View the story here!
  • Regarding highly qualified status, the following Superintendent's Memo and attachments define the definitions and options to be used by the Virginia Department of Education for all teachers.Please read each document and attachment carefully.If you choose to attend a content area institute to achieve highly qualified status, here are the VDOE sponsored content area institutes available as of this date.
  • Effective Spring, 2005, there is a new procedure for requesting practicum placements. Use this link to access the form for both Teletechnet and On Campus Requests.
  • Please note that registration into any course requiring a practicum (e.g. ESSE 618, 621, 623, 624, 626, 628, 630, 631, 633, and 637) will require passing Praxis I scores or an equivalent to be placed on file with Teacher Education Services (Room 152, Education Building, (757) 683-3348). Individuals who request to use ACT or SAT scores for Praxis I must provide a copy of their official report of scores. The Division of Teacher Education and Licensure also will accept the ACT or SAT scores listed on an official student transcript from an accredited college or university (including the registrar's signature and institution raised seal). Individuals who hold Collegiate Professional or Postgraduate Professional licenses must provide a photocopy of the license to Teacher Education Services.
  • The Board of Education has reviewed and approved the proposed revisions to the Regulations Governing the Licensure of School Personnel . The revisions are now under the Administrative Process Act, with the 60 day public comment period to follow.There may be changes to the proposed regulations.We will update this announcement when we receive new information.
  • Looking for a job? Teachers-teachers.com is a Virginia Department of Education sponsored recruitment service for teachers seeking jobs and schools seeking teachers. Membership is free.
  • SAT scores in place of PRAXIS I scores:
    The Virginia Board of Education has approved an SAT score substitution for Praxis I. A score of 1100 on the SAT, taken after April 1, 1995, with at least a 530 on the verbal and a 530 on the mathematics tests OR a score of 1000 on the SAT, taken prior to April 1, 1995, with at least a 450 on the verbal and a 510 on the mathematics tests may be used as a substitute for Praxis I. Individuals who request to use SAT� scores for Praxis I must provide a copy of their official report of scores. The Division of Teacher Education and Licensure also will accept SAT� listed on an official student transcript from an accredited college or university (including the registrar's signature and institution raised seal).
  • Regarding the Virginia Reading Assessment: Individuals who have completed a Virginia approved program in PreK-3,prek-6, special education, or for reading specialist PRIOR to December 31, 2004 will NOT be required to take the VRA test. The VDOE licensure office will begin citing for the VRA January 1, 2005. Individuals who apply prior to December 31, 2004, or those completing a Virginia approved program prior to December 31, 2004 will not be required to take the test. Early childhood special educators and those seeking endorsement in severe disabilities are excluded.
  • In the Special Education Program at Old Dominion University, a single course (ESSE 400/500 Foundations/Legal/Ethical Aspects in General and Special Education) meets the two competencies (legal aspects and characteristics of disabilities---see d. below) specified by the Virginia Department of Education to be eligible for a conditional license in special education. Conditional special education licensure in Virginia requires the following criteria. You must:
    a. Be employed by a Virginia public or nonpublic school and have the recommendation of the employing educational agency;
    b. Hold a baccalaureate degree from an accredited college or university;
    c. Have an assigned mentor endorsed in special education; and
    d. Have a planned program of study in the assigned endorsement area and have completed a minimum of [three to] six semester hours in the core competencies of characteristics of students with disabilities and legal aspects associated with students with disabilities. (Virginia Licensure Regulations for School Personnel, 1998)
  • The Child Abuse Recognition and Intervention Training required by the Virginia Department of Education for renewal or initial licensure after June 30, 2004 was embedded in two of the Special Education Program's courses: ESSE 400/500 Foundations/Legal/Ethical Aspects in General and Special Education AND ESSE 413/513 Human Growth and Development for the Spring, 2004 semester and all subsequent semesters. If you have transferred these courses into the program or wish to have an official certificate, you may complete the training via the VISSTA website.
  • ACT Scores in place of Praxis I: The Virginia Department of Education is pleased to announce that on September 22, 2004, the Board of Education approved the use of the ACT as a substitute test for Praxis I (Reading, Writing, and Mathematics) required for initial licensure. The Board of Education approved the following scores on the ACT: ACT Taken Prior to April 1, 1995 -- a composite score of 21 with the ACT mathematics score no less than 21 and an ACT English Plus Reading score no less than 37. ACT Taken After April 1, 1995 -- a composite score of 24 with the ACT mathematics score no less than 22 and an ACT English Plus Reading score no less than 46. Individuals who request to use ACT or SAT scores for Praxis I must provide a copy of their official report of scores. The Division of Teacher Education and Licensure also will accept the ACT or SAT scores listed on an official student transcript from an accredited college or university (including the registrar's signature and institution raised seal).
  • The VCLA is now available on computer.
    *Registration opens January 31, 2007.
    *Candidates may register online anytime, 24 hours a day.
    *Examinees may register for a test at one of five Virginia test centers or at test centers nationwide.  Refer to the Web site, www.va.nesinc.com for locations.
    *Candidates may test any day, Monday through Saturday (excluding holidays).
    *Candidates will receive test results within 10 business  days.
    *Examinees select responses for multiple-choice questions and enter responses to short-answer and written assignments on computer.
    *For information or to register, please refer to the following site: www.va.nesinc.com.