Action:
Fast-Track Regulatory Action for Removal of Graduate Credit for Early Childhood Special Education Endorsement
Action 6779
General Information
| Action Summary |
Over the past two years, Virginia has seen a 24% increase in the number of children identified with a disability for ages 2 5 attending preschool. The need for additional teachers with the ECSPED endorsement has been longstanding, with the percentage of vacancies or individuals teaching out of their endorsed area ranging from 7% to 9% over the past 6 years. This ECSPED endorsement is a combination of the two top-10 critical shortage areas. Data from 2024-2025 identifies Elementary Education PreK-6 and Special Education PreK-12 as the top two critical shortage areas on the list of ten endorsement areas. This action removes an arbitrary graduate-level course requirement as opposed to undergraduate level for those wishing to add this endorsement to their license outside of an approved program pathway. This change and the other proposed future change could fill at least 70 hard-to-fill positions in the future. Furthermore, this change would align the requirements with all other special education endorsements. |
| Chapters Affected |
Only affects this chapter.
|
| Executive Branch Review |
This action will go through the normal Executive Branch Review process.
|
| RIS Project |
Yes [8337] |
| New Periodic Review |
This action will not be used to conduct a new periodic review.
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Stages
Stages associated with this regulatory action.
| Stage ID |
Stage Type |
Status |
|
10802
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Fast-Track
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Comment period is underway and will end on 12/17/2025. |
Contact Information
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Name / Title:
|
Jim Chapman
/
Director of Board Relations
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Address:
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James Monroe Bldg.
101 N. 14th St., 25th Floor
Richmond, VA 23219
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Email Address:
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jim.chapman@doe.virginia.gov
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Phone:
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(804)750-8750
FAX: ()-
TDD: ()-
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This person is the primary contact for this agency.
