I concur 100% with the comment posted by the Virginia Council of Mathematics Specialists regarding the proposal change requiring 6-8 mathematics specialists to have a 6-12 mathematics endorsement. Having a secondary mathematics degree (meaning a BS in mathematics) has not necessarily ensured candidates have a strong command of the middle grades curriculum (especially in terms of depth). The 5 graduate-level mathematics content courses taken by candidates pursuing a K-8 Mathematics Specialist Degree provide opportunities to understand deeply the mathematics that reinforces the middle school mathematics curriculum.

I hope the VBOE will strongly consider the position taken by the VACMS regarding this proposal.