                                 CODE OF VIRGINIA

 (FOR EFFECTIVE DATE, SEE ACTS 2022, CC. 549, 550, CL. 2) MICROCREDENTIAL
PROGRAM; READING SPECIALISTS (§ 22.1-299.7:1)

A. The Department shall establish a microcredential program for the purpose of
permitting any public elementary or secondary school teacher who holds a
renewable or provisional license or any individual who participates in any
alternate route to licensure program to earn a series of microcredentials in the
reading specialist endorsement area. Such microcredential program shall require
candidates to complete a performance-based assessment intended to allow the
educator to demonstrate competency in evidence-based literacy instruction and
science-based reading research as well as the identification of and the
appropriate interventions, accommodations, and teaching techniques for students
with dyslexia or a related disorder.

B. The Board shall issue guidance that determines how the series of
microcredentials awarded to teachers pursuant to the microcredential program
established in accordance with subsection A will be used to award an add-on
endorsement as a reading specialist. Any add-on endorsement that results from
completion of such microcredential program shall be provisional for a period of
five years.

C. A local school board may employ a teacher with an add-on endorsement as a
reading specialist pursuant to this section to satisfy the requirement set forth
in subsection G of &#xA7; 22.1-253.13:2 if the local school board is unable to
employ a teacher with a full endorsement as a reading specialist.

D. Teachers who hold a renewable license and who participate, through the
microcredential program established in accordance with subsection A, in courses
that do not contribute to an endorsement are eligible for professional
development points toward renewal of their license for the number of in-person
hours of coursework completed upon providing a certificate of such participation
from the course provider.

HISTORY: 2022, cc. 549, 550.