Admission into Preparation Programs :
Virginia

Analysis of Virginia's policies

Virginia requires that approved undergraduate teacher preparation programs accept teacher candidates who have passed a basic skills test, the Praxis I. Although the state sets the minimum score for this test, it is normed just to the prospective teacher population.

Virginia also allows candidates to qualify by means of equivalent scores on the SAT or ACT. 

Unfortunately, the state's policy has a glaring loophole. Programs are permitted to accept candidates who have not met the minimum score set by the state and provide such candidates with "the opportunity to address any deficiencies."

Citation

Code of Virginia 23-9.2:3.6 Entry Assessment to Virginia Approved Programs http://www.doe.virginia.gov/teaching/educator_preparation/college_programs/entry_assessment.pdf

Recommendations for Virginia

Require all teacher candidates to pass a test of academic proficiency that assesses reading, writing and mathematics skills as a criterion for admission to teacher preparation programs.
Virginia would have a sound policy but for the loophole that allows programs to essentially waive this requirement for candidates as they see fit. Teacher preparation programs that do not screen candidates end up investing considerable resources in individuals who may not be able to successfully complete the program and pass licensing tests. Candidates needing additional support should complete remediation prior to program entry, avoiding the possibility of an unsuccessful investment of significant public tax dollars. 

Require preparation programs to use a common test normed to the general college-bound population.
The basic skills tests in use in most states largely assess middle school-level skills.  To improve the selectivity of teacher candidates—a common characteristic in countries whose students consistently outperform ours in international comparisons—Virginia should require an assessment that demonstrates that candidates are academically competitive with all peers, regardless of their intended profession. Requiring a common test normed to the general college population would allow for the selection of applicants in the top half of their class, as well as facilitate program comparison.  

State response to our analysis

Virginia cited the pertinent section of the Code that states, in part: "That the Board of Education shall prescribe an assessment of basic skills for individuals seeking entry into an approved education program and shall establish a minimum passing score for such assessment. The Board also may prescribe other requirements for admission to Virginia's approved education programs in its regulations. Candidates who fail to achieve the minimum score established by the Board of Education may be denied entrance into the relevant education program on the basis of such failure; however, if enrolled in the program, they shall have the opportunity to address any deficiencies."

Virginia also noted that it sets the passing scores for Praxis I, and they are among the nation's highest scores for those states using this test.

Last word

The cited section of the Code indicates that candidates "may" be denied entry into a preparation program if they fail the basic skills test, and those who enroll may "address any deficiencies." Clearly, a loophole exists for those candidates who do not earn a passing score on the Praxis I assessment.