                                 CODE OF VIRGINIA

MICROCREDENTIAL PROGRAM; CERTAIN STEM SUBJECTS (§ 22.1-299.7)

A. The Department of Education may 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 complete additional coursework and
earn microcredentials in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics
(STEM) endorsement areas, including computer science, for which there is a high
need for additional qualified teachers.

B. The Department of Education shall direct the Advisory Board on Teacher
Education and Licensure to convene a workgroup including pertinent education
stakeholders to determine how any microcredential awarded pursuant to any
microcredential program established pursuant to subsection A will be used to
award add-on endorsements and certifications for teachers in STEM endorsement
areas, including computer science, for which there is a high need for additional
qualified teachers.

C. Any course offered through any microcredential program established pursuant
to subsection A shall be offered in-person or in a blended format of in-person
and online instruction.

D. Any teacher who holds a renewable license and who participates, through any
microcredential program offered pursuant to subsection A, in courses that do not
contribute to an endorsement is eligible for professional development points
toward renewal of his license for the number of in-person hours of coursework
completed, upon providing a certificate of such participation from the course
provider.

HISTORY: 2019, cc. 227, 597.