Virginia Regulatory Town Hall
Agency
Department of Education
 
Board
State Board of Education
 
Guidance Document Change: In 2021, the Virginia General Assembly passed House Bill 1904 and Senate Bill 1196, and was signed into law by Governor Northam. The law establishes new requirements to support culturally competent educators in the Commonwealth. The Guidance on Cultural Competency Training for Teachers and Other Licensed School Board Employees in Virginia Public Schools was developed for the Board to fulfill the statutory mandate to provide guidance on the minimum standards for the local training requirement.
Previous Comment     Next Comment     Back to List of Comments
12/18/21  8:58 am
Commenter: Chris Gavaler

Common sense training
 

Since African American history is a necessary part of American history, I don't understand how anyone could object to history teachers having to "complete instruction in African American history." That seems like common sense. Would anyone seriously argue that history teachers should NOT know African American history? I had to look up the term "cultural competency," and found this definition: "the ability to interact effectively with people from different cultures. This ability depends on awareness of one's own cultural worldview, knowledge of other cultural practices and worldviews, tolerant attitudes towards cultural differences, and cross-cultural skills." Again, who could possibly want teachers to NOT have such fundamental skills? This bill is all common sense. 

CommentID: 117206