Passing Virginia Reading Assessment (VRA)
if applicable to your teaching endorsement

NOTE: Refer to the information below from page 2 of
http://www.doe.virginia.gov/VDOE/newvdoe/prof_teacher_assessment.pdf as of April 2008

VIRGINIA READING ASSESSMENT (VRA)
Individuals seeking initial licensure* with endorsements in the following areas must take the Virginia Reading Assessment for Elementary and Special Education Teachers (Test Code 001) unless the exemption criteria are met:

Early/Primary prek-3
Elementary Education prek-6
Special Education-General Curriculum
Special Education-Hearing Impairments
Special Education-Visual Impairments

Note: This assessment also may apply to those individuals with endorsements in Special Education-Emotional Disturbances, Special Education-Specific Learning Disabilities, and Special Education-Mental Retardation who were advised under previous regulations to meet this assessment requirement for full licensure.

Individuals seeking an endorsement as a Reading Specialist must take the Virginia Reading Assessment for Reading Specialists (Test Code 002).

The VRA became a requirement July 1, 2004. Individuals who take the VRA after July 1, 2006, will be required to meet a passing score established by the Virginia Board of Education. The Board of Education established cut scores for the Virginia Reading Assessments for elementary and special education teachers at 235 and for reading specialists at 245, effective July 1, 2006. For information regarding registration, test administration, fees, etc., please visit the Web site, www.va.nesinc.com.

* VDOE may issue a provisional license with passing VRA exam cited as initial licensure or for adding the reading specialist endorsement