We are responding to the proposed changes in the Licensure Regulations for School Personnel Mathematics specialist program requirements for the elementary and middle school mathematics specialists.  We are commenting as program coordinators and professors for Longwood University’s Master of Science in Education – Elementary and Middle School Mathematics and Master of Science in Education – Algebra and Middle School Mathematics as well as professors for Longwood’s Liberal Studies and Secondary Mathematics programs.

We support the decision to separate the elementary and middle school mathematics specialist endorsements. However, we do not support the requirement that mathematics specialists for middle education must first hold a secondary mathematics teaching endorsement.  This requirement does not allow for a path by which exceptional middle school licensed mathematics teachers can become mathematics specialists even though they have extensive experience in middle school mathematics.  Given the new requirements for the Algebra 1 add-on endorsement we believe this endorsement should also be included as a possible path to becoming a middle school mathematics specialist. 

We also support the additional mathematics requirements for the Prek-3, PreK-6, middle mathematics, and Algebra 1 add-on as well as the addition of modeling to the secondary licensure.

We appreciate the opportunity to comment and the Virginia Board of Education’s consideration of our positions.