Notice is hereby given in accordance with § 2.2-4007.01 of the Code of Virginia that the State Board of Education intends to consider repealing 8VAC20-22, Licensure Regulations for School Personnel, and promulgating 8VAC20-23, Licensure Regulations for School Personnel. The purpose of the proposed action is to promulgate new standards for the licensure of school personnel. The new regulation will address (i) license types, (ii) professional studies requirements, (iii) alternate routes to licensure, (iv) specific areas of endorsement and possible additional endorsement areas, and (v) other areas of licensure as needed. The entire regulation will be examined.

The agency is seeking comments on this regulatory action, including, but not limited to (i) ideas to be considered in the development of this proposal, (ii) the costs and benefits of the alternatives stated in this background document or other alternatives, and (iii) potential impacts of the regulation. The agency is also seeking information on impacts on small businesses as defined in § 2.2-4007.1 of the Code of Virginia. Information may include (i) projected reporting, recordkeeping, and other administrative costs; (ii) the probable effect of the regulation on affected small businesses; and (iii) the description of less intrusive or costly alternatives for achieving the purpose of the regulation.

Anyone wishing to submit comments may do so via the Virginia Regulatory Town Hall website (http://www.townhall.virginia.gov), or by mail, email, or FAX to Dr. Mark Allan, Director of Licensure and School Leadership, Virginia Department of Education, P.O. Box 2120, Richmond, Virginia 23218-2120, telephone (804) 371-2471, FAX (804) 530-4510. Written comments must include the name and address of the commenter. In order to be considered, comments must be received by midnight on the last day of the public comment period.

The agency intends to hold a public hearing on the proposed action after publication in the Virginia Register. Notice of the public hearing will also be posted on the Virginia Regulatory Town Hall website (http://www.townhall.virginia.gov) and on the Commonwealth Calendar website (http://www.virginia.gov). Both oral and written comments may be submitted at that time.

Statutory Authority: § 22.1-298 of the Code of Virginia.

Public Comment Deadline: January 16, 2013.

Agency Contact: Patty S. Pitts, Assistant Superintendent for Teacher Education and Licensure, Department of Education, P.O. Box 2120, Richmond, VA 23218, telephone (804) 371-2522, or email patty.pitts@doe.virginia.gov.