West Virginia Code of State Rules
Agency 126 - Education
Title 126 - PROCEDURAL RULE BOARD OF EDUCATION
Series 126-136 - Minimum Requirements for the Licensure of Professional/Paraprofessional Personnel and Advanced Salary Classifications (5202)
Section 126-136-24 - Advanced Credentials

Universal Citation: 126 WV Code of State Rules 126-136-24

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

24.1. Advanced Credentials are awarded to educators for completing professional learning, coursework, and/or testing that exceeds the requirements for a professional certificate. Endorsements identified as Advanced Credentials have unique and specific requirements for the initial issuance and subsequent renewal. Advanced Credentials may be required for employment.

24.2. Validity Period. The validity period of each Advanced Credential will differ. Any Advanced Credential that is not issued on a permanent basis shall expire on June 30 in the year in which it is set to expire. An Advanced Credential issued on a permanent basis shall remain as such provided the Professional Teaching Certificate or CTE Certificate remains valid and the Advanced Credential is not surrendered, suspended, or revoked.

24.3. Conditions of Issuance. The candidate for an Advanced Credential must submit evidence of satisfying the specific conditions for issuance for the specialization for which the Advanced Credential is requested.

24.4. Types of Advanced Credentials. Advanced Credentials shall be recommended to the WVBE by the WVDE for approval. Upon approval by the WVBE, the WVDE may begin to issue the Advanced Credential to eligible candidates.

24.4.a. Technology Integration Specialist. The Technology Integration Specialist serves public schools in an instructional support capacity. The candidate for licensure must provide evidence of completing the following criteria: hold a valid West Virginia Professional Certificate, or an Adult Certificate endorsed for Adult Basic Education as described in section 10.8; complete training as required by the employing county; and receive the recommendation of the county superintendent. The Technology Integration Specialist Advanced Credential shall be issued on a permanent basis and shall remain as such provided the Professional Teaching Certificate remains valid and the Advanced Credential is not surrendered, suspended, or revoked.

24.4.b. Advanced Placement Teacher. The Advanced Placement teacher delivers instruction in college-level courses, approved by the College Board, in the high school setting. The Advanced Credential endorsed for the Advanced Placement Teacher is required for licensure when a job posting requires the Advanced Placement credential, is valid for a period of three years, and shall expire on the June 30 in the year in which is set to expire. The candidate for licensure must submit evidence of completing the following criteria: hold a valid West Virginia Professional Certificate; successfully complete the Advanced Placement Course Audit required by the College Board; and receive the recommendation of the employing county superintendent and complete any one of the following:
24.4.b.1. Advanced Placement Institute. Successfully complete a 30-clock hour College Board endorsed Advanced Placement Summer Institute or an equivalent College Board endorsed Advanced Placement Summer Institute offered through the WVDE or an out-of-state provider endorsed by the College Board. All professional learning for the initial Advanced Placement Teacher Advanced Credential must have been completed subsequent to June 1, 2005; or

24.4.b.2. Be accepted by the College Board to read exams and participate in at least one Advanced Placement Exam Reading; or be accepted by the College Board to offer institutes and workshops and deliver at least one course-specific institute or workshop; or successfully serve as a mentor to a novice Advanced Placement teacher; or successfully complete at least three semester hours of coursework directly related to the Advanced Placement course for which licensure is sought.

24.4.b.3. Renewal of Advanced Placement Teacher. The candidate for licensure must submit evidence of successful completion of the requirements identified in section 24.4.b. The requirements for renewal must have been met subsequent to the renewal of the certificate being renewed and within five years of the date of application.

24.4.c. Personal Finance Education Specialist. The advanced credential endorsed for Personal Finance Education Specialist is awarded upon completion of professional learning offered/approved by the WVDE. The Personal Finance Education Specialist delivers instruction to students in grades K-Adult utilizing the college- and career-readiness standards framework. The Advanced Credential endorsed for Personal Finance Education is valid for a period of three years and shall expire on June 30 in the year in which it is set to expire.
24.4.c.1. The candidate for licensure must submit evidence of completing the following criteria: hold a valid West Virginia Professional Certificate or a valid West Virginia CTE Certificate; and successfully complete professional learning on personal finance education provided and/or approved by the WVDE; and document the integration of personal finance education into the core curriculum utilizing the WVDE personal finance instructional model.

24.4.c.2. Renewal of the Personal Finance Education Specialist. The Advanced Credential endorsed for Personal Finance Education Specialist may be renewed upon submission of the following evidence: hold a valid West Virginia Professional Certificate or a valid West Virginia CTE Certificate; and completion of professional learning related to personal finance education knowledge, skills, and pedagogy offered/approved by the WVDE or another nationally recognized organization; or successfully complete at least three semester hours of coursework from a regionally accredited IHE and directly related to the field of Personal Finance Education.

24.4.c.3. Permanent Personal Finance Advanced Credential. The Advanced Credential endorsed for Personal Finance Education Specialist may become a permanent Advanced Credential. The candidate for the permanent Advanced Credential endorsed for Personal Finance Specialist must submit evidence of meeting the following criteria: hold a valid West Virginia Professional Certificate or a valid West Virginia CTE Certificate; and hold a valid or expired Advanced Credential endorsed for Personal Finance Education Specialist, having renewed it at least one time at the appropriate renewal period; and completion of an additional professional learning related to personal finance education knowledge, skills, and pedagogy and offered/approved by the WVDE; and complete at least three semester hours of coursework from a regionally accredited IHE or its equivalent from West Virginia WVLearns, and directly related to the field of Personal Finance Education.

24.4.c.4. Exception. Any candidate who applies by June 30, 2024, and who holds or has held a Personal Finance advanced credential, or who holds a valid Professional Teaching Certificate endorsed for social studies and who is employed during the 2023-2024 school year in grades 9-12 as verified by the employing county, is eligible to apply for a permanent advanced credential endorsed in Personal Finance without completing any additional coursework/professional learning requirements. Any candidate who applies for initial, renewal, or conversion of this credential beginning July 1, 2024, shall meet the requirements as listed in sections 24.4.c through 24.4.c.3.

24.5. CTE. Permanent advanced credentials for areas of CTE are awarded upon completion of Professional Learning/Coursework identified in the CTE Endorsements and Testing Manual on the WVDE website. The candidate for licensure must provide evidence of completing the following criteria: meet requirements identified in the CTE Endorsements and Testing Manual on the WVDE website; and meet professional learning/coursework as identified in the CTE Endorsements and Testing Manual on the WVDE website; and receive the recommendation of the employing county superintendent, Multi-County CTE Administrator, or WVSDT Superintendent or designee.

24.5.a. Advanced Credential for Initial Option Pathway. The Option Pathway teacher delivers instruction to those students enrolled in the Option Pathway program to prepare them for the high school equivalency assessment. The Option Pathway Advanced Credential is issued for a period equal to the validity period of the candidate's current professional teaching certificate, not to exceed five years and shall expire on June 30 in the year it is set to expire. The candidate must provide evidence of completing the following criteria: hold a valid Professional Teaching Certificate in any endorsement, grades K-12; and submission of commitment verifying the candidate's agreement to complete the required Option Pathway orientation professional learning approved by the WVDE Option Pathway Coordinator; and receive the recommendation of the county superintendent in which the candidate is employed.
24.5.a.1. Renewal of the Advanced Credential for Option Pathway. The Advanced Credential endorsed for Option Pathway shall be renewed upon submission of the following evidence: hold a valid Professional Teaching Certificate in any endorsement, grades K-12; and unduplicated professional learning offered or approved by the WVDE Option Pathway Coordinator equal to six hours annually.

24.5.a.2. All Option Pathway teachers, who are new to the Option Pathway program, are required during the first-year to take the Option Pathway New Teacher Orientation. These hours will be counted toward the first year professional learning requirement. For subsequent renewal(s), completion of at least 18 clock hours (for a three year certificate) or 30 clock hours (for a five year/permanent certificate); and receive the recommendation of the county superintendent in which the candidate is employed.

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