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Bill > HB1023
VA HB1023
VA HB1023Part-time or adjunct instructor in public schools; locally awarded subject matter expert credential.
summary
Introduced
01/14/2026
01/14/2026
In Committee
01/14/2026
01/14/2026
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead
Introduced Session
Potential new amendment
2026 Regular Regular Session
Bill Summary
Part-time or adjunct instructors in public schools; locally awarded subject matter expert credentials; career and technical education subjects or courses. Establishes, enumerates criteria for, and permits a division superintendent or a comprehensive community college to issue a locally awarded subject matter expert teaching credential, valid for a period of one year, to any individual who demonstrates expertise in content or subject matter area relating to career and technical education in order for such individual to provide instruction or coursework in one career and technical education course per semester in grades six through 12 at any public school in the Commonwealth or comprehensive community college in the Commonwealth, including dual enrollment or concurrent enrollment courses. The bill delineates the criteria for issuance of such locally awarded subject matter expert credential. The bill also contains several provisions relating to the employment of individuals under a locally awarded subject matter expert credential, including (i) permitting any school division or institution of higher education to hire any such individual as a part-time or adjunct instructor to teach a career and technical education subject or course; (ii) requiring any such individual to be subject to a background clearance check and the fingerprinting and criminal history records check requirements required as a condition of employment of any applicant who is offered or accepts employment at a school division pursuant to applicable law; (iii) requiring each employing school board to assign an individual employed by such school board as a mentor to supervise any individual issued a locally awarded subject matter expert credential; and (iv) permitting any division superintendent to renew an individual's locally awarded subject matter expert credential for a period not to exceed one additional year, provided that such individual receives satisfactory performance evaluations. Finally, the bill requires each school board to annually report to the Department of Education the number of locally awarded subject matter expert credentials issued pursuant to the provisions of the bill.
AI Summary
This bill establishes a "locally awarded subject matter expert credential" that can be issued by a division superintendent or a comprehensive community college to individuals with demonstrated expertise in career and technical education (CTE) subjects. This credential, valid for one year, allows these individuals to teach one CTE course per semester in grades six through twelve at public schools or community colleges, including dual enrollment courses, and is not intended to replace individuals holding a valid teaching license. To qualify, applicants must demonstrate expertise through a combination of a degree and passing a subject test, or by holding a professional license or industry certification credential along with at least five years of relevant work experience, or by having taught relevant courses at an accredited higher education institution for at least five years, and must also complete two microcredentials from the Department of Education, one focusing on special education students and the other on classroom management. Individuals with this credential are subject to background checks and must be assigned a mentor by their employing school board or institution, who will receive a stipend. The credential is not transferable between school divisions, though a superintendent may re-issue it to someone transferring from another division if they still meet the requirements. The credential can be renewed for an additional year based on satisfactory performance evaluations, but individuals holding it are not eligible for continuing contract status and are subject to probationary employment terms. Finally, each school board must annually report to the Department of Education the number of these credentials issued.
Committee Categories
Education
Sponsors (2)
Last Action
Continued to next session in Education (Voice Vote) (on 02/11/2026)
Official Document
bill text
bill summary
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bill summary
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bill summary
| Document Type | Source Location |
|---|---|
| State Bill Page | https://lis.virginia.gov/bill-details/20261/HB1023 |
| Education Amendment | https://lis.virginia.gov/bill-details/20261/HB1023/text/HB1023AHC1 |
| Fiscal Note/Analysis - Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (HB1023) | https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1128590.PDF |
| BillText | https://lis.virginia.gov/bill-details/20261/HB1023/text/HB1023 |
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