Virginia Law

An individual may be a candidate for the list of eligible division superintendents and the renewable Division Superintendent License through the completion of the requirements in one of the following four options:

1. Option I. The individual shall have:

a. Earned a doctorate degree in educational administration or educational leadership from an accredited institution; and

b. Completed five years of educational experience in a public or an accredited nonpublic school, two years of which shall be successful, full-time teaching experience at the preK-12 level and two years of which shall be in administration and supervision at the preK-12 level.

2. Option II. The individual shall have:

a. Earned a master's degree from an accredited institution and successfully completed 30 graduate semester hours beyond the conferral date of the master's degree;

b. Completed requirements for administration and supervision preK-12 endorsement that includes the demonstration of competencies in the following areas:

(1) Knowledge, understanding, and application of planning, assessment, and instructional leadership that builds collective professional capacity, including:

(a) Principles of student motivation, growth, and development as a foundation for age-appropriate and grade-appropriate curriculum, instruction, and assessment;

(b) Collaborative leadership in gathering and analyzing data to identify needs to develop and implement a school improvement plan that results in increased student learning;

(c) Planning, implementation, and refinement of standards-based curriculum aligned with instruction and assessment;

(d) Collaborative planning and implementation of a variety of assessment techniques, including examination of student work that yields individual, class, grade level, and school level data as a foundation for identifying existing competencies and targeting areas in need of further attention;

(e) Incorporation of differentiated and effective instruction that responds to individual learner needs, including appropriate response to cultural, ethnic, and linguistic diversity;

(f) Knowledge, understanding, and application of the federal and state regulatory requirements and expectations associated with identification, education, and evaluation of students with disabilities;

(g) Collaboratively working with parents and school personnel to ensure that students with disabilities are included as a valued part of the school community and that they receive effective and appropriately intensive instruction to assist them in meeting the standards set for all students, as well as individual goals outlined in their individualized education programs;

(h) Integration of technology in curriculum and instruction to enhance learner understanding;

(i) Identification, analysis, and resolution of problems using effective problem-solving techniques; and

(j) Development, articulation, implementation, and stewardship of a vision of excellence linked to mission and core beliefs that promote continuous improvement consistent with the goals of the school division.

(2) Knowledge, understanding, and application of leadership and organizations, including:

(a) The change process of systems, organizations, and individuals, using appropriate and effective adult learning models;

(b) Aligning organizational practice, division mission, and core beliefs for developing and implementing strategic plans;

(c) Understanding information sources and processing, including data collection and data analysis strategies;

(d) Using data as a part of ongoing program evaluation to inform and lead change;

(e) Developing a change management strategy for improved student outcomes;

(f) Developing distributed leadership strategies to create personalized learning environments for diverse schools; and

(g) Practicing effective two-way communication skills including consensus building, negotiation, and mediation skills.

(3) Knowledge, understanding, and application of management and leadership skills that achieve effective and efficient organizational operations and sustain an instructional program conducive to student academic progress, including:

(a) Alignment of curriculum and instruction and assessment of the educational program to achieve high academic success at the school and division or district level;

(b) Principles and issues of supervising and leading others to ensure a working and learning climate that is safe, secure, and respectful of a diverse school community;

(c) Management decisions that ensure successful teaching and learning, including human resources management and development, theories of motivation, change in school culture, innovation and creativity, conflict resolution, adult learning, and professional development models;

(d) Knowledge, understanding, and application of Virginia's Guidelines for Uniform Performance Standards and Evaluation Criteria for Teachers and Virginia's Guidelines for Uniform Performance Standards and Evaluation Criteria for Principals;

(e) Principles and issues related to fiscal operations of school management;

(f) Principles and issues related to school facilities and use of space and time for supporting high-quality school instruction and student learning;

(g) Legal issues impacting school operations and management;

(h) Technologies that support management functions; and

(i) Application of data-driven decision making to initiate and continue improvement in school and classroom practices and student achievement.

(4) Knowledge, understanding, and application of the conditions and dynamics impacting a diverse school community, including:

(a) Recognizing emerging issues and trends within school and community relations;

(b) Working collaboratively with staff, families, and community members to secure resources and to support the success of a diverse population;

(c) Developing appropriate public relations and public engagement strategies and processes for building and sustaining positive relationships with families, caregivers, and community partners; and

(d) Integrating technology to support communication efforts.

(5) Knowledge, understanding, and application of the purpose of education and the role of professionalism in advancing educational goals, including:

(a) Philosophy of education that reflects commitment to principles of honesty, fairness, caring, and equity in day-to-day professional behavior;

(b) Integration of high-quality, content-rich, job-embedded professional learning that respects the contribution of all faculty and staff members in building a diverse professional learning community;

(c) Reflective understanding of moral and legal consequences of decision making in the school setting;

(d) Intentional and purposeful effort to model professional, moral, and ethical standards, as well as personal integrity in all interactions; and

(e) Intentional and purposeful effort to model continuous professional learning and to work collegially and collaboratively with all members of the school community to support the school's goals and enhance its collective capacity.

(6) Knowledge, understanding, and application of leadership theories and influences that impact schools, including:

(a) Concepts of leadership, including systems theory, change theory, learning organizations, and current leadership theory;

(b) Ability to identify and respond to internal and external forces and influences on a school;

(c) Ability to identify and apply the processes of educational policy development at the state, local, and school level; and

(d) Ability to identify and demonstrate ways to influence educational policy development at the state, local, and school level; and

c. Completed five years of successful educational experience in a public or an accredited nonpublic school, two years of which must be full-time teaching experience at the preK-12 level and two years of which must be in administration and supervision.

3. Option III. The individual shall have:

a. Earned a master's degree from an accredited institution;

b. A current, valid out-of-state license with an endorsement as a division or district superintendent; and

c. Completed five years of successful educational experience in a public or an accredited nonpublic school, two years of which must be full-time teaching experience at the preK-12 level and two years of which must be in administration and supervision.

4. Option IV. The individual shall have:

a. Earned a master's degree or its equivalent from an accredited institution;

b. A minimum of three years of successful, full-time experience in a senior leadership position, such as chief executive officer or senior military officer; and

c. Be recommended by a Virginia school board interested in employing the individual as superintendent.