West Virginia Code of State Rules
Agency 126 - Education
Title 126 - PROCEDURAL RULE BOARD OF EDUCATION
Series 126-028 - West Virginia's Universal Access to a Quality Early Education System (Policy 2525)
Section 126-28-16 - Personnel

Universal Citation: 126 WV Code of State Rules 126-28-16

Current through Register Vol. XLI, No. 38, September 20, 2024

16.1. Teacher Credentials:

16.1.a. Teachers employed in a WV Pre-K classroom and hired by the county board of education must hold an appropriate license issued by the WVDE.

16.1.b. To fully maximize resources, community partners may choose to hire their own personnel for the WV Pre-K collaborative classroom. Teachers employed in a WV Pre-K classroom operated by a community program may hold a Professional Teaching Certificate endorsed in Early Education, Preschool Education, or Preschool Special Needs; OR

16.1.c. When no fully certified teacher is available within or for hire by the community program, the person employed by a community program shall hold the minimum of a bachelor's degree in child development, early childhood, or occupational development with an emphasis in child development/early childhood, have a minimum overall grade point average of 2.5 for all college/university coursework attempted, and meet the requirements specified in W. Va. 126CSR136, WVBE Policy 5202, Minimum Requirements for the Licensure of Professional/Para professional Personnel and Advanced Salary Classifications (Policy 5202), for the Permanent Authorization, endorsed for Community Programs; OR

16.1.d. When no fully certified teacher or individual eligible for the Permanent Authorization endorsed for Community Programs is available within or for hire by the community program, the person employed by the community program shall hold the minimum of a bachelor's degree in child development, early childhood, or occupational development with an emphasis in child development/early childhood, have a minimum overall grade point average of 2.5 for all college/university coursework attempted, and meet additional requirements to be eligible for a Temporary Authorization for Community Programs as specified in Policy 5202.

16.2. Early Childhood Classroom Assistant Teacher Authorization

16.2.a. Any person previously employed and newly employed as an aid/assistant in a WV Pre-K classroom (refer to W. Va. Code § 18-5-44m), including those employed by the county board of education and collaborating Head Start and child care programs, shall hold the position of either Early Childhood Classroom Assistant Teacher Temporary Authorization or Early Childhood Classroom Assistant Teacher Permanent Authorization, as specified in Policy 5202.

16.2.b. Conditions of the initial Early Childhood Classroom Assistant Teacher-Temporary Authorization:
16.2.b.1. The applicant for authorization must hold a minimum of a high school diploma, Testing Assessing Secondary Completion (TASC), or degree if applicable, through an accredited institution of higher education as defined in Policy 5202.

16.2.b.2. Submission of commitment, verifying the applicant's agreement to complete coursework, approved by the WVDE, in the areas of preschool special education, child development, and early childhood language and literacy as defined in Policy 5202.

16.2.b.3. Applicants employed by the county board of education must meet the formal state academic assessment requirements as defined in Policy 5202, pursuant to W. Va. Code § 18A-4-8e, or hold a valid or expired Initial Professional or Professional Teaching Certificate or its equivalent, as a condition of hire. Applicants employed by a collaborating child care or Head Start program are not required to meet the formal state academic assessment requirements.

16.2.b.4. Complete the application process for Early Childhood Classroom Assistant Teacher Authorization as described in Policy 5202, Section 12.

16.2.b.5. Applicants must select an authorization pathway when completing the initial Early Childhood Classroom Assistant Teacher-Temporary Authorization. Authorization pathways include Child Development Associate (CDA), West Virginia Apprenticeship for Child Development Specialists (ACDS), or WVDE-approved course work.

16.2.c. Conditions for Renewal of the Early Childhood Classroom Assistant Teacher-Temporary Authorization:
16.2.c.1. The initial Early Childhood Classroom Assistant Teacher-Temporary Authorization is valid for one school year and may be renewed twice in accordance with WVBE Policy 5202.

16.2.c.2. Any Early Childhood Classroom Assistant Teacher employed in a WV Pre-K classroom collaborating with Head Start must complete required coursework of the Early Childhood Classroom Assistant Teacher authorization pathway within two years upon hire in accordance with Head Start regulations.

16.2.d. Conditions of the Early Childhood Classroom Assistant Teacher-Permanent Authorization:
16.2.d.1. A first-time applicant for Early Childhood Classroom Assistant Teacher-Permanent Authorization must provide verification of state competency exam for applicants employed by a county board of education and must hold a minimum of a high school diploma, TASC, or degree if applicable, through an accredited institution of higher education as defined in Policy 5202.

16.2.d.2. Demonstrate completion of the minimum coursework requirements to meet or exceed the requirements for a child development associate. Equivalency is determined as the Child Development Associate (CDA), West Virginia Apprenticeship for Child Development Specialists (ACDS), or WVDE-approved course work.

16.2.e. Any Early Childhood Classroom Assistant Teacher employed in a collaborative setting with Head Start must complete coursework required to obtain permanent authorization in accordance with Head Start regulations.

Disclaimer: These regulations may not be the most recent version. West Virginia may have more current or accurate information. We make no warranties or guarantees about the accuracy, completeness, or adequacy of the information contained on this site or the information linked to on the state site. Please check official sources.
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