Become a Math Teacher in Virginia
Virginia provides a standard certification and add-on endorsement for educators who want to teach mathematics. There are several requirements for mathematics certification, some of which can be substituted with qualifying experience.
Mathematics Certification in Virginia
The state of Virginia offers a standard Mathematics endorsement for educators as well as a Mathematics-Algebra I add-on endorsement. There are a few ways for an educator to qualify for certification, all of which require a bachelor's degree. Educators can specifically teach mathematics courses in both middle and secondary grades.
<table border="1"><tr><td>Education Required </td><td>Bachelor's degree</td></tr>
<tr><td>Exams/Training Required </td><td>VCLA <br/>Praxis <br/>Statutory training</td></tr>
<tr><td>License Validity Period </td><td>1-3 years (provisional) <br/>10 years (standard)</td></tr>
<tr><td>Advancement Requirements </td><td>Additional college coursework <br/>Teaching experience</td></tr>
<tr><td>Mean Salary* <br/>(2018, statewide, all teachers) </td><td>$66,870 (middle school) <br/>$68,770 (high school)</td></tr>
<tr><td>Estimated Job Growth* <br/>(2016-2026, nationwide, all teachers) </td><td>7.5% (middle and high school)</td></tr>
</table><p><i>Source: *U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics</i>
</p><h3 id="section---EducationExperienceRequired">Education/Experience Required</h3><p>An educator should hold at least a bachelor's degree as well as meet one of the following to be endorsed in middle or secondary education mathematics:
</p><ul><li>Completion of a teacher preparation program
</li><li>Hold a bachelor's degree in mathematics
</li><li>Completion of 36 semester hours distributed in several mathematics subjects (such as algebra, statistics, and calculus)
</li></ul><p>An educator who would like to be endorsed in Algebra I should already have a license with the state of Virginia as well as hold a bachelor's degree. Additionally, they must meet one of the following:
</p><ul><li>Completion of a qualifying teacher preparation program in Algebra I
</li><li>Completion of 24 semester hours that include several subjects such as calculus and elementary functions
</li></ul><h3 id="section---AlternateExperienceRouteCareerSwitcher">Alternate Experience Route: Career Switcher</h3><p>Potential educators who have not completed a teacher program but do hold a bachelor's degree with at least three years of qualifying work experience in the content that they wish to teach may enter the career switcher program. Upon acceptance, they must complete a one-year, Level 1 preparation consisting of 180 hours of instruction and field work. After completing Level I of the program the educator will receive a one-year Provisional Career Switcher License, which can be extended for up to two more years. During the provisional-license period the educator will complete additional training while they teach at a qualifying school. Once all requirements are met, educators can apply for a standard ten-year license.
</p><h3 id="section---ExamsAndTrainingRequired">Exams and Training Required</h3><p>There are several assessments and statutory training items required to become certified.
</p><p>The exams required are:
</p><ul><li>Virginia Communication and Literacy Assessment (VCLA); Score: 470
</li><li>Content Assessments (Praxis) <i>(one of the following, depending on certificate endorsement)</i>
<ul><li>Mathematics Content Knowledge: Test 5161; Score: 160
</li><li>Mathematics - Algebra I: Test 5162; Score: 148
</li><li>Middle Education Mathematics: Test 5169; Score: 165
</li></ul></li></ul><p>Additionally, all educators are required to complete three statutory training items:
</p><ul><li>Child Abuse and Neglect Recognition and Intervention
</li><li>Emergency First Aid, CPR and AED
</li><li>Dyslexia Awareness
</li></ul><h3 id="section---ApplyingForCertification">Applying for Certification</h3><p>Educators must send all required items to the Virginia Department of Education in a single packet. In addition to the application form, applicants must submit a $100 processing fee ($150 for out-of-state educators), official transcripts, verification of teacher preparation program and experience (if applicable), as well as copies of assessment scores and training certifications.
</p><h3 id="section---CertificationRenewalAndExpansion">Certification Renewal and Expansion</h3><p>Except for the three-year provisional license, licenses are valid for ten years. To renew, an educator must complete and provide verification for 360 professional development points. Educators are also required to repeat all statutory training (see above) for each renewal period. Renewals have a $50 processing fee.
</p><p>Educators may also add endorsements to current certificates by completing college coursework and any relevant content assessments.</p>