The Virginia Department of Education licensure endorsement for Mathematics Specialists for elementary and middle education were approved by the Governor in September and are now in effect. The specific regulations are:

8VAC20-22-610. Mathematics specialist for elementary and middle education.
Endorsement requirements. The candidate must have:

1. Completed at least three years of successful classroom teaching experience in which the teaching of mathematics was an important responsibility; and
   
   
2. Graduated from an approved mathematics specialist preparation program (master’s level); or completed a master’s level program in mathematics, mathematics education, or related education field with 30 semester hours of graduate coursework in the competencies listed below, including at least 21 hours of coursework in undergraduate or graduate-level mathematics.

• Understanding of the knowledge, skills, and processes of the Virginia Mathematics Standards of Learning and how curriculum may be organized to teach these standards to diverse learners;
• Understanding of a core knowledge base of concepts and procedures within the discipline of mathematics, including the following strands: number systems and number theory; geometry and measurement; statistics and probability; and functions and algebra;
• Understanding of the sequential nature of mathematics and the mathematical structures inherent in the content strands;
• Understanding of the connections among mathematical concepts and procedures and their practical applications;
• Understanding of and the ability to use the five processes – becoming mathematical problem solvers, reasoning mathematically, communicating mathematically, making mathematical connections, and using mathematical representations – at different levels of complexity;
• Understanding of the history of mathematics, including the contributions of different individuals and cultures toward the development of mathematics and the role of mathematics in culture and society;
• Understanding of major current curriculum studies and trends in mathematics;
• Understanding of the role of technology and the ability to use graphing utilities and computers in the teaching and learning of mathematics;
• Understanding of and the ability to select, adapt, evaluate and use instructional materials and resources, including professional journals and technology;
• Understanding of and the ability to use strategies for managing, assessing, and monitoring student learning, including diagnosing student errors;
• Understanding of and the ability to use strategies to teach mathematics to diverse learners;
• Understanding of leadership skills needed to improve mathematics programs at the school and division levels, including the needs of high and low-achieving students and of strategies to challenge them at appropriate levels; child psychology, including personality and learning behaviors; educational measurement and evaluation; and effective professional development approaches; and
  
• Understanding of and proficiency in grammar, usage, and mechanics and their integration in writing.
  
  

The process of verifying "Approved Programs" will be starting soon. Meanwhile, the office of Dr. Jim Lanham, Director of Office of Licensure, will evaluate individual submissions for this licensure endorsement on a case by case basis based on the above adopted regulations. Requests for consideration for this endorsement should be submitted through your school system consistent with the process for obtaining licensure, licensure renewal, other endorsements, etc. If you experience any problems, Dr. Lanham will personally review and address them. Once there are "Approved Programs" for preparing Mathematics Specialists, completing such a program will bea criteria for licensure endorsement.