Secondary Teacher Preparation: West Virginia

Analysis of West Virginia's policies

West Virginia requires that its secondary teacher candidates pass a Praxis II content test to teach any core secondary subjects.  Unfortunately, West Virginia permits a significant loophole to this important policy by allowing both general science and general social studies licenses, without requiring subject-matter testing for each subject area within these disciplines (see Goals 1-G and 1-H).

Further, to add an additional field to a secondary license, teachers must also pass a Praxis II content test. However, as stated above, West Virginia cannot guarantee content knowledge in each specific subject for those secondary teachers who add general science or general social studies endorsements. 

Citation

Title 126 Legislative Rules, Board of Education, Series 136, Policy 5202, Appendix B http://wvde.state.wv.us/certification/

Recommendations for West Virginia

Require subject-matter testing for all secondary teacher candidates.
West Virginia wisely requires subject-matter tests for most secondary teachers but should address any loopholes that undermine this policy (see Goals 1-G and 1-H). This applies to the addition of endorsements as well.

State response to our analysis

West Virginia asserted that individuals with a general science endorsement (5-adult) are required to pass the Biology, Physical Science and General Science Praxis II content exams. A candidate may elect to substitute either the Chemistry or Physics content test for the Physical Science content test.

Last word

The issue of general science is addressed more fully in Goal 1-G. West Virginia should ensure that its requirements do not make it possible for secondary teachers with insufficient content knowledge to be licensed to teach any core subjects.