Each WV Universal Pre-K classroom employs a minimum of two paid staff, a classroom teacher and an Early Childhood Classroom Assistant Teacher (ECCAT). Both teacher and ECCAT must possess the required credential, including staff in classrooms where staff are employed by collaborative partners. WVBE Policy 2525 provides basic requirements for teacher and ECCAT credentials; however, the primary policy addressing all facets of credentialing are located in WVBE Policy 5202: Minimum Requirements for the Licensure of Professional/ Paraprofessional Personnel and Advanced Salary Classifications. WVBE Policy 5202 can be accessed on the state board policies page. Additionally, information and forms from the Office of Educator Effectiveness and Licensure can be accessed at https://wvde.us/certification. The following charts provide further information on required credentials for teachers and ECCATs.
Teacher Certification or Authorization- At-A-Glance
| Personnel Type | Lead Teacher: Employed by Local Education Agency (LEA) | Lead Teacher: Employed by Collaborative Community Program |
|---|---|---|
| Certification or Authorization Requirement | Current WV Professional Teaching Certificate in one of the approved certification endorsements. | 1. Current WV Professional Teaching Certificate in one of the approved certification endorsements (see Approved Professional Teaching Certificate Endorsement for Pre-K). OR
2. Current Authorization for Community Programs. |
| Approved Course Codes and Certification/Authorization Endorsements for WV Universal Pre-K | Approved Professional Teaching Certificate Endorsement Codes for Universal Pre-K 3603 Early Education (Pre-K-K):
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1. A Lead Teacher employed by a collaborative community program who holds a current WV Professional Teaching Certificate must also have an approved certification endorsement (see Approved Professional Teaching Certificate Endorsements for Universal Pre-K).
2. If the Lead Teacher is employed in a collaborative community program, the teacher must hold a Community Programs Authorization. Approved Community Program Authorization Code 8000 Community Programs (PK-PK) |
| Initial Certification/ Authorization Requirements | 1. Initial Teacher Certification (in-state applicants) (Two Pages)
2. Form 7-Applicant Consent/Release of Background Results- 7—Applicant Consent/Release of Background Results |
1. Form 50 (two pages) with signature of community program director. a. Applicant Information b. Form 50- Community Program Authorization
2. Form 7-Applicant Consent/Release of Background Results- 7—Applicant Consent/Release of Background Results 3. Form 4B- Receive the recommendation of the director of the community program under contract with the county board of education. 4. Official seal-bearing transcripts that reflect a Bachelor’s degree with minimum GPA of 2.5. Bachelor’s degree in child development, early childhood, or occupational development with an emphasis in child development/early childhood is required. If the degree is out of field, a waiver request letter and waiver request form must be submitted. 5. Specialized Training – Verification of coursework and/or professional development, approved by the WVDE, in the areas of preschool special education, child development, preschool curriculum, early language and literacy, assessment of young children, and family and community involvement (proof of completion of all six courses are required for permanent authorization). 6. Verification of at least one year of early education teaching experience. |
| Requirements for Renewal (If temporary) | 1. Renewal of Professional Teaching/Student Support Certificate
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1. Form 50 (two pages) with signature of community program director. a. Applicant Information b. Form 50- Community Program Authorization
2. Official seal-bearing transcripts that reflect a minimum of six semester hours of required coursework OR WVDE e-Learning certificates that meet the required coursework (minimum of 2). |
Early Childhood Classroom Assistant Teacher Authorization (ECCAT)- At-A-Glance
| Personnel Type | Early Childhood Classroom Assistant Teacher (ECCAT): Employed by Local Education Agency (LEA) | Early Childhood Classroom Assistant Teacher (ECCAT): Employed by Collaborative Community Program |
|---|---|---|
| Certification or Authorization Requirement | Early Childhood Classroom Assistant Teacher Authorization with State Competency Exam- SCE. | Early Childhood Classroom Assistant Teacher Authorization (no State Competency Exam (SCE) required). |
| Approved Course Codes and Certification/Authorization Endorsements for WV Universal Pre-K | EC01- Early Childhood Classroom Assistant Teacher (SCE)(PK-0K) | EC02- Early Childhood Classroom Assistant Teacher (PK-0K) |
| Initial Certification/ Authorization Requirements | 1. Form 41 (three pages)
Applicant Information with signature of the superintendent.
3. Evidence of successful completion of The State Competency Exam. 4. Official seal bearing transcripts OR Any WVDE e-Learning completion certificates that meet ECCAT requirements (Only if the applicant would like to have courses count toward permanent authorization). |
1. Form 41 (three pages)
Applicant Information with signature of the superintendent.
3. Evidence of successful completion of The State Competency Exam. 4. Official seal bearing transcripts OR Any WVDE e-Learning completion certificates that meet ECCAT requirements (Only if the applicant would like to have courses count toward permanent authorization). |
| Requirements for Renewal (If temporary) | 1. Form 41 (three pages)
2. Evidence of completing three semester hours of required coursework or equivalent (one of the following):
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1. Form 41 (three pages)
2. Evidence of completing three semester hours of required coursework or equivalent (one of the following):
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