Latest news with #EarlyChildhoodSpecialEducation
Yahoo
23-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Facing special ed teacher shortage, Va. education board votes to expand educator pipeline
(Photo by Getty Images) The number of Virginia preschoolers with disabilities has increased by 24% over the past two years, prompting the Virginia Board of Education's decision Thursday to have the state find new ways to get more special education teachers into classrooms. The board's unanimous 7-0 vote directs the Virginia Department of Education (VDOE) to open the state's compliance pathways in its state administrative code governing special education by removing the requirement for graduate-level coursework earned towards an Early Childhood Special Education (ECSPED) endorsement. VDOE staff said the need for additional teachers with ECSPED endorsement has been 'longstanding,' noting that 7% to 9% of educators have taught outside their endorsed area over the past six years. Elementary education Pre-K-6 and special education PreK-12 were the top two critical shortage areas staff identified, which they said showed the necessity of updating compliance standards to make hiring special education teachers easier. 'All we're asking is to remove the word 'graduate' and align it with all of the rest of the special education endorsements and make a pathway that is easier to fill for early childhood education,' said Rob Gilstrap, VDOE assistant superintendent for human capital, at Thursday's board meeting. The ECSPED endorsement requires special education teachers to have a baccalaureate degree from an accredited institution. Teachers must have also graduated from an approved teacher preparation program in early childhood special education, completed a college major in early childhood special education or 27 semester graduate hours in early childhood special education. Virginia schools still struggling to fill critical teaching positions, new report finds The board was provided two solutions to facilitate the compliance change. One will create an ECSPED add-on endorsement, which will be developed by the Advisory Board on Teacher Education and Licensure in September. The Board of Education will vote on the final details, and the process could take an extended period to complete. The second solution is to make a minor revision to the state's administrative code, which the board said would align licensure regulations for ECSPED endorsement and increase flexibility by removing an arbitrary graduate-level course requirement. This will also allow teachers without a graduate degree to add the endorsement outside of an approved program pathway. Since the second solution would likely not spark public disagreement, the regulatory changes could be fast tracked and completed after 90 days. VDOE said the changes could fill at least 70 positions in the future and would put the commonwealth in alignment with all other state special education endorsement requirements. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX
Yahoo
22-02-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Elementary school in Grand Haven to become early learning center
GRAND HAVEN, Mich. (WOOD) — As district leaders anticipate declines in enrollment, an elementary school in Grand Haven is set to be repurposed. Beginning in the 2025-2026 school year, Mary A. White Elementary will become an early learning center with a special focus on nature-based programs, Grand Haven Area Public Schools announced Thursday. The center is expected to house the district's Preschool Development, Great Start Readiness, Young Fives and Early Childhood Special Education programs. The change is part of a building transition plan 'aimed at enhancing early childhood education while optimizing district facilities to meet the evolving needs of the Grand Haven community,' GHAPS said. Over the next five years, the district is anticipating an enrollment decline of about 650 students. Meanwhile, the students who attend Mary A. White Elementary will instead be sent to different elementary schools in the district. Those who live west of Beacon Boulevard will attend Rosy Mound Elementary; those who live on the north side of River Haven will attend Peach Plains Elementary; and those who live on the south side of River Haven will attend Robinson Elementary. 'While we recognize that transitions like this can be difficult for our families, this decision reflects our commitment to providing the best possible learning experiences for our students,' said Superintendent Kristin Perkowski in a statement. 'By enhancing our early childhood programs and optimizing our facilities, we are positioning our district for future success, ensuring that we can continue to offer a high-quality education for generations to come.' GHAPS will hold an information session for parents at 6 p.m. Monday in the Mary A. White Elementary gym. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
