INTERPRETATION
 
Interpretation's Date: February 6, 2007
by superintendent Dr. Steven L. Paine
Section: IV. Students
 
Interpretation

February 6, 2007

Nathan Estel, Assistant Director
Office of Professional Preparation
Building 6, Room 252
1900 Kanawha Blvd., East
Charleston, West Virginia 25305

Dear Mr. Estel:

In response to concerns raised by a county board of education, you have asked the following question:

Can a teacher certified to teach Mathematics to students in grades five through eight award credit for Algebra I that is to be recognized on the high school transcript?

Your question addresses the certification requirements for a teacher to deliver Algebra I to eighth grade students in order for them to receive high school credit for the course. Specifically, you are asking if a teacher certified to teach mathematics through grade eight can award credit that will be recognized at the high school level.

West Virginia Board of Education (WVBE) Policy 2510, Assuring Quality of Education, Section 13.88 provides, "individual students who demonstrate mastery of the 21st century content standards and objectives of a particular course must be provided opportunities to progress to the next level." In addition, WVBE Policy 2510 indicates that, "credit shall also be granted for documented mastery of high school course requirements by a student prior to grade 9."

As an alternative means to earning high school credit, WVBE Policy 2510 also stipulates that "any student who successfully completes a high school level course (one meeting the high school approved content standards and objectives and taught by a content certified teacher) prior to grade 9 shall receive full credit for that course toward graduation requirements."

Therefore, because a teacher who holds a certificate to teach mathematics through grade eight is certified to teach Algebra I, s/he may issue a credit to students for the Algebra I course that shall be reflected on the students' permanent record.

Hoping I have been of assistance, I am

Sincerely,

/s/

Steven L. Paine
State Superintendent of Schools

SLP/HLD/hne


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