V
irginia
C
apitol
C
onnections
, S
ummer
2014
18
A student at Old Dominion University recently came to us with a
problem she encountered for taking her required licensure tests. The
tests are controlled by a private testing company leaving us little room
to provide assistance for the student. A call was immediately placed to
the Virginia Department of Education (VDOE) who agreed to contact
the testing company but left us with limited hope that we could resolve
the dilemma for the student.What happened next was an example of the
support individuals and institutions of higher education receive from
the state. The officials at the VDOE were not only able to work with
the testing company to meet the needs of the individual student but for
many students and other individuals in the Commonwealth who needed
this same assistance. These efforts were truly appreciated and provide
a clear example of the meaning of collaboration in the Commonwealth.
Working with state legislators and state departments of education
is a common topic of conversation in teacher education circles on the
higher education level. Most often, the conversations are negative and
speak to the lack of collaborative efforts. However, that is not the case
in Virginia. Instead, the Commonwealth supports collaboration and
communication. The focus for serving the needs of learners in our
schools is paramount and supersedes separate agendas.
Collaborative efforts begin withVirginia Department of Education.
These interactions are strong, consistent and positive. The VDOE
communicates with higher education faculty on a regular basis through
email correspondence. Meetings are also called on an ad hoc basis to
discuss critical issues impacting the Commonwealth providing the
vehicle for all parties to be at the table and part of the solution and
process. A recent example that highlights the open focus for theVDOE
was evident in a meeting with Deans and Directors of teacher education
and the Secretary of Education and the Superintendent of Public
Instruction. The interactions during that meeting revealed individuals
who were willing to listen and work toward
common solutions for critical issues.
Those in the higher education
community are also particularly pleased with
an upcoming meeting called by the VDOE
to discuss new accreditation standards
for educator preparation programs. These
conversations will serve to strengthen the
way in which we prepare teachers and
educational leaders in the Commonwealth.
Undeniably, this will have benefits for our
schools and our children.
Strong state chapter organizations such
as the Virginia Association of Colleges
for Teacher Education (VAC-TE) and the
Association of Teacher Educators (ATE)
provide examples of state chapter groups
that support avenues to facilitate regular
conversations focused on improving
education. Well established groups such as
the Advisory Board on Teacher Education
and Licensure (ABTEL) ensure that policies
regarding licensure for educators remain applicable and are enforced.
TheVirginia Education Coalition (VEC), is comprised of representatives
of twelve major education associations. This coalition is comprised of
associations representing principals, teachers, parents, superintendents,
higher education, school counselors, and school board members.
As education is confronted with a variety of outside influences, it
is even more imperative that Virginia retain its collaborative efforts.
We encourage legislators to guard for organizations and individuals
Educators + State Officials = Collaborators
By Dr. Jane S. Bray and Dr. Leigh Butler
BRAY
BUTLER
It takes a diverse agency to work for a
diverse Commonwealth. DCR protects
what Virginians care about – access to the
outdoors, natural habitats, open spaces,
clean water, safe infrastructure.
For example, last year DCR:
• Hosted 8.9 million state park visitors.
• Helped farmers install 12,000
practices that protect soil and water.
• Regulated 2,000 dams.
• Published the state’s comprehensive
outdoor plan.
• Discovered more than 35 species new
to science.
Virginia Department of
Conservation and Recreation
1-800-933-7275 (PARK) •
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