On behalf of the Virginia Technology and Engineering Education Association, I request that changes not be made to the Regulations Governing the Review and Approval of Education Programs in Virginia. Specifically, the proposed repealing of the current 8VAC20-542 (items 8VAC20-542-10 through 8VAC20-542-600) and replacement with 8VAC20-543, with the associated additions of items 8VAC20-543-10 through 8VAC20-543-640. I offer the following to support our request:

• In 1988, the Virginia was the first Commonwealth/State to add Engineering courses to the existing Technology Education Program.
• In 2011 the Senate Joint Resolution 308' Establishing Shared Goals for an Engineering Program of Study with Shared Responsibility Among the Science, Mathematics, and Technology Disciplines was passed which specifies a partnership between our existing science, technology, and mathematics subjects to teach Engineering.
• In 2011, the Virginia Technology Education Association changed it their name to Virginia Technology and Engineering Education Association to reflect the Engineering Education (VTEEA) taught within our Technology Education Programs. This also mirrors the addition of engineering in our parent organization the International Technology and Engineering Educators Association.
• Engineering Education is already included in our Science, Technology, and Math Programs. Our schools are already teaching STEM in our K-12 courses. It is unnecessary to make further provisions for Engineering Education or Engineering Education Licensure.
• The VTEEA includes staff development in Engineering Education in their Summer Staff Development to assist in preparing all Technology and Engineering Education programs. Our Project Lead the Way (PLTW) instructors all have had in-depth instruction on teaching engineering in the required PLTW courses.
• The Technology Education curriculum is nationally recognized by the National Science Foundation, NASA, National Academy of Engineering, and other credible organizations that address the K-12 technology and engineering content and practices.
• We already have a teacher shortage throughout education. Creating another endorsement requirement will only add to the number of teachers to be hired for these positions.

Please support the programs that are already offered and the licensure currently in place. Do not add to already strained budgets and shortages of teachers. Our current Technology Education program in Career and Technical Education does an excellent job of preparing students for both career and college opportunities.