Meeting Summary
Virginia Board of Education
January 10, 2008
Proposed Revisions to the Regulations Establishing Standards for Accrediting Public Schools in Virginia (8 VAC 20-131-10 et seq.)
The Board approved proposed revisions to the Regulations Establishing Standards for Accrediting Public Schools in Virginia (8 VAC 20-131-10 et seq.) The proposed revisions establish the requirements for the Standard Technical Diploma and the Advanced Technical Diploma, and they establish a graduation and completion index that all schools with a graduating class would be required to meet in order to be fully accredited. A recommendation from the Governor was included that proposed each middle and high school student have a personal learning plan that aligns academic and career goals with the student’s course of study. The timetable for further action will be governed by the requirements of the Administrative Process Act including a period of public comment. Following the public comment the Board will review the regulations again before final adoption.
Request for an Increased Graduation Requirement from Roanoke County Public Schools
The Board approved a request from Roanoke County Public Schools to increase the graduation requirements for Roanoke County Public Schools by requiring students to earn 0.5 standard credit in personal finance, beginning with the ninth grade class of 2008-2009. All students would be required to take and pass a one semester course in personal finance. The required number of electives would be reduced by one semester, resulting in no net change in the number of standard and verified credits required to graduate.
Criteria for Making Distributions from the Public Charter School Fund (HB 2311)
The Board approved the criteria for making distributions from the Public Charter School Fund pursuant to §22.1-212.5:1, Code of Virginia. The criteria include provisions for receiving moneys from the Fund and provisions for oversight of the Fund by the Department. First priority will be given to applications establishing new public charter schools. Moneys from the Fund shall be limited to $10,000, or less, depending on the amount available. The minimum award amount would be $5,000. To date, no gifts, grants, bequests, or donations have been received, and no funds will be disbursed until such time as funds are received.
Schedule for the Adoption of Mathematics, English, Science, and Foreign Languages Textbooks and Instructional Materials
The Board approved the schedule for the adoption of mathematics, English, science, and foreign language textbook and instructional materials. It is anticipated that revised Mathematics Standards of Learning will be approved by the Board of Education by June 2009, and revised English (K-5 Reading and 6-12 English and Literature) and Science Standards of Learning will be approved by the Board of Education by June 2010. It is also anticipated that revised Foreign Language Standards of Learning will be approved by the Board of Education by June 2014. The Department proposed that textbooks and instructional materials for mathematics be scheduled for adoption in 2010-2011, and that textbooks and instructional materials for English and science be scheduled for adoption in 2011-2012. It was further proposed that textbooks and instructional materials for foreign languages be scheduled for adoption in 2014. The approved textbook adoption schedule will be announced via a Superintendent’s Memorandum on January 25, 2008, and the adoption schedule will be posted on the textbook page of the Department’s Web site on the same date.
Standards of Learning for Physical Education, Health Education, Driver Education, History and Social Science, and Curriculum Framework for Algebra, Functions, and Data Analysis
The Board adopted the revised Standards of Learning for Physical Education, Health Education, Driver Education, History and Social Science, and Curriculum Framework for Algebra, Functions, and Data Analysis. The proposed History and Social Science Standards of Learning were revised to include participatory activities in the democratic process. The Department of Education will post the revised Standards of Learning on the Department’s Web site. By summer 2008, the documents will be printed and distributed to the field.
Proposed Amendments to Virginia’s Consolidated Application Accountability Plan Under the No Child Left Behind Act of 2001
The Board approved the proposed amendments to the Virginia Consolidated State Application Accountability Plan as permitted in Section 9401 of the federal law. Virginia’s proposed amendments fall under two categories: 1) technical clarifications of how certain requirements are being implemented as requested by USED; and 2) revisions to existing policies. Under the first category, USED has requested a description of procedures for implementation of the state’s science assessments during the 2007-2008 school year. USED has also requested an accounting of each state’s AYP calculations including whether data are averaged across years. Under the second category, the following revisions to existing policies are being requested: a) reversing the order of the public school choice and supplemental educational services sanctions; b) extending flexibility in AYP calculations for students with disabilities (SWD); and c) identifying targets for Annual Measurable Achievement Objectives (AMAOs) for limited English proficient (LEP) students. The proposed revisions will be submitted to the United States Department of Education as amendments to Virginia’s Consolidated State Application Accountability Workbook by the deadline of February 15, 2008.
Revisions of Industry, Professional, or Trade Association Certification Examinations and Occupational Competency Assessments to Meet the Requirements for the Board of Education’s Career and Technical and Advanced Mathematics and Technology Seals and the Student-Selected Verified Credit
The Board approved the revised list of industry certification examinations, occupational competency assessments, and licenses to meet the requirements for the Board of Education’s Career and Technical Education and Advanced Mathematics and Technology seals and the student-selected verified credit. As a result of the proposed additions and deletions to this list there are: 157 credentials eligible for student-selected verified credit; 151 credentials eligible for the Career and Technical Education Seal; and 34 credentials eligible for the Advanced Mathematics and Technology Seal.
Virginia’s Five Year State Plan for Fiscal Years 2008-2013 for the Carl D. Perkins Career and Technical Education Act of 2006
The Board accepted for first review Virginia’s proposed state plan for the Carl D. Perkins Career and Technical Education Act of 2006. For 2008-2013 all components of the secondary portion of the plan have been completed with the exception of one performance standard (2S1) which the USED is still discussing. The Virginia Community College System is utilizing USED technical assistance for their performance standards and will complete those based on recommendations from the technical assistance. For the first time, Perkins IV requires sanctions for not meeting performance standards at both the state and local level. Negotiations for the level of performance between the state and OVAE will continue to be negotiated under this law. However, Perkins IV has added a negotiation process for performance standard levels between the state and each local division served. These negotiations must insure that the state levels required by OVAE are met. The earliest sanctions at the state level would be during the 2008-2009 year although this is still being discussed. Sanctions at the state level can include reduction of state administration funds. Historically, Virginia has met 100 percent of its performance standards. At this point, the sanctions for local divisions do not take effect until 2009-2010. Sanctions at the local level have not been determined, but templates and procedures for Local Improvement Plans are in place from Perkins III and may be continued under Perkins IV. After public hearings the plan, with any changes, will be resubmitted for final approval at the March 2008 Board meeting.
Reports
The Board received an informational report on the Governor’s Proposed Budget.