Credentialing and Authorizations

Educators who already hold West Virginia Certification in another content area can take the Computer Science Praxis Exam for Computer Science Education (5652). This can lead to an endorsement in Computer Science Education.

Computer Science Authorizations

Although not required to teach computer science in West Virginia, Policy 5202 outlines three authorizations for educators. Form 38 is used to add the following authorizations to a Teaching Certificate. Applicants must:

• Hold a valid Professional Teaching Certificate.
• Receive the recommendation of the employing county superintendent (as indicated on Form 38).

Permanent Authorization for Computer Science Fundamentals - Elementary School

This authorization is available for elementary school teachers.

Requirements

Although not required to teach computer science in West Virginia, Policy 5202 outlines three authorizations for educators. Form 38 is used to add the following authorizations to a Teaching Certificate. Applicants must:

• Hold a valid Professional Teaching Certificate.
• Receive the recommendation of the employing county superintendent (as indicated on Form 38).

You must also complete 50 hours of approved professional development learning for elementary school teachers. Examples include:

• Two (2) days of Code.org or Apple computer science workshop .
• Follow-up West Virginia Learns Course.

Permanent Authorization for Computer Science Discoveries - Middle School

This authorization is available for middle school teachers.

Requirements

Although not required to teach computer science in West Virginia, Policy 5202 outlines three authorizations for educators. Form 38 is used to add the following authorizations to a Teaching Certificate. Applicants must:

• Hold a valid Professional Teaching Certificate.
• Receive the recommendation of the employing county superintendent (as indicated on Form 38).

You must also complete 60 hours of approved professional development learning for middle and early high school teachers. Examples include:

• A 5-day Code.org or Apple summer workshop plus four (4) one-day follow up workshops, or
• Project Lead the Way training for App Creators and Computer Science for Innovators and Makers.

Permanent Authorization for Introduction to Computer Science - High School

This authorization is available for high school teachers.

Requirements

Although not required to teach computer science in West Virginia, Policy 5202 outlines three authorizations for educators. Form 38 is used to add the following authorizations to a Teaching Certificate. Applicants must:

• Hold a valid Professional Teaching Certificate.
• Receive the recommendation of the employing county superintendent (as indicated on Form 38).

You must also complete 60 hours of approved professional development learning for middle and early high school teachers. Examples include:

• A 5-day Code.org or Apple summer workshop plus four (4) one-day follow up workshops, or
• Project Lead the Way training for Computer Science Essentials, Computer Science Principles, or Computer Science A.