Meeting Summary
Virginia Board of Education
January 15, 2009
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 Education 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. Industry, professional, and trade association certifications are continually being revised or discontinued to stay current with technology and new techniques. These changes may be such that individual certifications are no longer available, no longer meet the Board of Education’s criteria for diploma seals or student-selected verified credit, or require additional criteria such as work experience beyond high school. Changes have been made in two of the certifications that were previously approved by the board. As a result of the board’s action, the list now contains 174 credentials eligible for student-selected verified credit, 168 credentials eligible for the Career and Technical Education Seal, and 34 credentials eligible for the Advanced Mathematics and Technology Seal. After final approval, a Superintendent’s Memorandum will notify school divisions of these additions to and deletions from the approved list of industry certifications, occupational competency assessments, and licenses.
Timeline for the Review of the Science Standards of Learning
The Board granted approval for the Department of Education to proceed with the revision process for the Science Standards of Learning. Using an established review process and criteria, the Department of Education will review the current Science Standards of Learning. Committee members will receive a report on 21st century content standards in physics, chemistry and engineering in Virginia's K-12 curriculum prepared by staff from the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) Langley Research Center and presented to Virginia’s P-16 Education Council in June 2008. Additionally, documents such as the National Science Education Standards and other reports on national and international science education will be provided for review by the committee members. The Board approved timeline for the review of the science curriculum framework begins January, 2009 and concludes July, 2010.
Timeline for the Review of the English Standards of Learning
The Board granted approval for the Department of Education to proceed with the revision process for the English Standards of Learning. Using an established review process and criteria, the Department of Education will review the current English Standards of Learning. The College Board and ACT reports that analyze the English Standards of Learning with their respective postsecondary readiness standards as well as American Diploma Project (ADP) alignment study documents will be provided to the review committees for consideration. The College Board and ACT analyses were presented to the Board at its September 2007 meeting. The review committees will also consider relevant national reports and documents. The Board approved timeline for the review of the English Standards of Learning begins January, 2009 and concludes July, 2010.
Request for Approval to appoint a Part-Time Superintendent
The Board approved requests from the Highland County School Board and the Colonial Beach School Board to appoint a part-time superintendent, pursuant to §.22.1-62 of the Code of Virginia.
Proposed Amendment to Virginia’s Consolidated State Application Accountability Plan Under the No Child Left Behind Act of 2001
The Board approved the proposed amendment to the Virginia Consolidated State Application Accountability Plan as permitted in the federal law. The USED noted that only essential amendments will be considered at this time because a full peer review of each state’s Accountability Workbook will be conducted in summer and fall 2009 as required by the Title I regulations issued in October 2008. In the past, Virginia has applied for and received permission to exercise Transition Flexibility Option 1, which permits states to make a mathematical adjustment to the proficiency rate of the students with disabilities subgroup scores only for schools and divisions that did not make AYP based solely on that subgroup. The resulting proxy is the equivalent to 2.0 percent of all students assessed and is added to the percentage of students with disabilities who are proficient and advanced.
Recommendation of the Advisory Board on Teacher Education and Licensure
to Grant Approval to Requests to Add New Endorsement Programs at the University of Mary Washington and the University of Virginia
The Board approved the Advisory Board on Teacher Education and Licensure’s recommendation to grant “Conditional Approval” for new endorsement programs at the University of Mary Washington and the University of Virginia. On November 17, 2008, the Advisory Board on Teacher Education and Licensure recommended that the Board of Education grant “conditional approval” for the graduate level program entitled Special Education: Adapted Curriculum at the University of Mary Washington and the graduate level program, Mathematics Specialist for Elementary and Middle Education at the University of Virginia.
Recommendation of the Advisory Board on Teacher Education and Licensure
(ABTEL) to Grant Full Accreditation to the Teacher Education Program at Saint Paul’s College
The Board approved the Advisory Board on Teacher Education and Licensure’s recommendation to grant full accreditation to the professional education program at Saint Paul’s College.
Alternative Education Programs in Petersburg City Public Schools
The Board accepted the findings of the review of alternative education programs in Petersburg City Public Schools and requested the department to complete a follow-up visit in the spring of 2009 to ensure that essential actions are implemented. The Essential Actions that will be examined during the March, 2009 follow-up include the requirement to: 1) align the Horizons Program curriculum with skills necessary for transition to programs leading to a standard or advanced studies diploma or to a GED (ISAEP) program; 2) adhere to procedures for student placement that allow for parent input and are conducted in a timely manner; 3) Secure the needed resources and materials for students and teachers (i.e., textbooks); 4) provide access to the CTE program to the students enrolled in the CPP program; and 5) provide early intervention in elementary and middle school programs to reduce the need for alternative program.
Governor’s Proposed Amendments to the 2008-2010 Biennial Budget (HB1600/SB 850)
The Board received an informational report on the governor’s Proposed Budget. Based on the year-to-year change in the governor’s introduced budget, state funding distribution to school divisions would decrease by $375.0 million (six percent overall) from FY09 to FY10 due to the proposed FY10 reductions.