COMMONWEALTH OF VIRGINIA
DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
P.O. BOX 2120
RICHMOND, VIRGINIA 23218-2120

SUPTS. MEMO NO. 8
January 19, 2001

INFORMATIONAL

TO: Division Superintendents
FROM: Jo Lynne DeMary
             Superintendent of Public Instruction
SUBJECT: Web-based SOL Technology Initiative:Preliminary Architectural Guidelines

In response to requests, the Department of Education has developed preliminary architectural guidelines to assist school divisions as they implement their plans for high school readiness. The guidelines are based on elements common to the requirements proposed by each of the vendors selected to demonstrate their solutions to the assessment delivery system for the Standards of Learning Technology Initiative at nine schools in Virginia, as well as industry best practices. These guidelines and other information on the Web-based SOL Technology Initiative may be found at:

http://www.pen.k12.va.us/VDOE/Technology/soltech/soltech.html

These guidelines should be followed when planning for the installation or upgrade of facilities, network infrastructure, or computer platforms to ensure financial resources are used efficiently and in compliance with the project’s technical requirements.

Upon completion of the demonstration projects in the spring of 2001, a more comprehensive version of the architectural guidelines will be published. Divisions should take steps to ensure that budgeted funds are spent to fulfill the minimum vendor requirements for facilities, network infrastructure, professional services, and computer platforms.

As explained in Superintendent’s Memo No. 50, "Submission of Plan for the Use of Funds for the Web-based Standards of Learning Technology Initiative," dated September 22, 2000, divisions are expected to resubmit their Plan for the Use of Funds periodically. Updates to the plan should include all expenditures made toward fulfilling the requirements of this initiative as defined in these guidelines as well as the final version of the guidelines to be published in the spring of 2001.

"Plan for the Use of Funds" submissions are scheduled to begin in February 2001 and monthly thereafter.

If you have questions regarding this document or the SOL Technology Initiative, please contact Sarah Susbury at (804) 786-5823 (ssusbury@mail.vak12ed.edu) or Mark Schaefermeyer at (804) 225-2998 (mschaefe@mail.vak12ed.edu).

JLD:rp

Attachments:

http://www.pen.k12.va.us/VDOE/Technology/soltech/docs/preguide.pdf

http://www.pen.k12.va.us/VDOE/Technology/soltech/docs/designop.pdf

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