COMMONWEALTH OF VIRGINIA

DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION

P.O. BOX 2120

RICHMOND, VIRGINIA 23218-2120

SUPTS. MEMO NO. 65

December 5, 2003

ADMINISTRATIVE

TO:	Division Superintendents
FROM:	Jo Lynne DeMary Superintendent of Public Instruction
SUBJECT:	Nominations for the 2004 Standards of Learning Assessments Content Review Committees

The Division of Assessment and Reporting is seeking nominations for membership on the 2004 Standards of Learning Assessments Content Review Committees. Approximately 12-15 members are needed for each of the 35 content committees. School divisions are encouraged to nominate at least one representative for each content committee.

Over the next three years, a system will be phased-in for implementing a partial rotation of membership on an annual basis. A partial rotation of committee members annually will provide an opportunity for more teachers to contribute to the development of the Standards of Learning assessments while retaining the experience and knowledge of veteran committee members.

Committee members will be chosen based on the following criteria:

· grade-level and content area expertise and experience;

· in-depth knowledge of the Standards of Learning;

· instructional/supervisory experience with students of varied learning styles, abilities, and aptitudes, including students with disabilities and students with limited English proficiency; and

· balanced regional representation.

Committee members selected for the 2004 Standards of Learning Assessments Content Review Committees will be expected to:

· serve a one-year term with the option to apply for a second- or third-year term in 2005;

· sign a Non-Disclosure/Conflict of Interest Agreement;

· participate in one or two (2-6 days) committee meetings in Richmond (see tentative schedule on page 4 in the application packet);

· review the Standards of Learning test forms for alignment with the test blueprints;

· examine test items to confirm a match with the Standards of Learning and review items for appropriateness and fairness;

· examine field test data for potential test items; and

· recommend items to be included in the test item bank, edited to be field tested, or dismissed from further consideration.

Committees members will be provided the following:

· reimbursement for meals and travel expenses in accordance with state travel policy and guidelines;

· lodging;

· honorarium of $50 per meeting day for committee members not under contract with a school division at the time of meetings; and

· certificate for recertification points.

Individuals may initiate the application process for the 2004 Content Review Committees or may be nominated. In either case, all nominees must complete an application; however, committee members who served during 2003 will only need to complete certain pages of the application. The applicant must provide two professional references in support of their nomination and obtain approval from the division superintendent. Detailed information is included in the application packet that outlines requirements, provisions, selection criteria, and a prototype of a typical meeting day’s agenda.

You are invited to identify in your division one distinguished educator for each of the 35 committees and encourage them to apply for this important service. Completed applications are due to the Virginia Department of Education by January 30, 2004.

If you have questions, please contact Lolita B. Hall (mailto:lbhall@mail.vak12ed.edu), associate director, Division of Assessment and Reporting at (804) 786-9422.

Your continued support of this effort is greatly appreciated.

JLD/SLR/LBH/jc

Attachment

http://www.pen.k12.va.us/VDOE/suptsmemos/2003/adm065a.doc