Dear Virginia Board of Education,

Thank you for this opportunity to provide feedback on the proposed revisions to the Regulations Governing the Review and Approval of Education Programs in Virginia. 

Under the Professional Studies Requirements, the faculty and staff of the Teacher Education Program at Virginia Wesleyan College support the elimination of the professional studies coursework cap in 8VAC20-542-20.  Because Virginia Wesleyan employs a 4-credit course system as a result of College-wide curriculum reform in 2011, the cap on professional studies coursework forces us to address all current elementary professional studies requirements in just 6 courses.  The proposed revision would allow the Teacher Education Program to move forward with curricular innovations in the professional studies, including the addition of a stand-alone elementary mathematics and science teaching methods course that will address STEM standards to enhance our candidates’ pedagogical knowledge and better prepare them to be exemplary elementary teachers.  Similarly, the elimination of the 18-hour cap creates opportunities for innovation in the professional studies component of our secondary programs. We are also supportive of the Regulation revision that establishes an expectation that professional studies requirements can be completed within a baccalaureate degree program.