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

SUPTS. MEMO NO. 114
August 17, 2001

INFORMATIONAL
 
TO: Division Superintendents
FROM: Jo Lynne DeMary
Superintendent of Public Instruction
SUBJECT: Academic Reviews for Schools Rated "Accredited with Warning (in specific academic area or areas)"

The Regulations for Establishing Standards for Accrediting Public Schools in Virginia (SOA), effective September 28, 2000, set forth action requirements for schools that are rated accredited with warning. Section 8 VAC 20-131-310 of the standards states, in part:

" … the Department of Education shall develop a school academic review process and monitoring plan designed to assist schools rated as Accredited with Warning. All procedures and operations for the academic review process shall be approved and adopted by the Board." On November 30, 2000, the Board adopted guidelines for the academic review process used in schools rated Accredited with Warning for a first time. The guidelines for the Phase 1 Academic Review process can be found on the Department’s website at http://www.pen.k12.va.us/VDOE/Accountability/SOAguidelines.pdf.

On July 26, 2001, the Board adopted guidelines for the academic review process to be used in schools rated Accredited with Warning for a second consecutive year. The guidelines for the Phase 2 Academic Review process are provided for you in Attachment A of this memo.

It is the department’s intent to begin conducting academic reviews in the fall of this school year. We anticipate completing this year’s reviews by the end of February, 2002.

Questions concerning the academic review process should be addressed to Dr. Cheri C. Magill, director of accreditation, (mailto:cmagill@mail.vak12ed.edu) at 804-225-2708 or to Mr. Ed Holstrom, accreditation specialist, (mailto:eholstro@mail.vak12ed.edu) at 804-225-3122.

JLD/ccm

Attachment

/administrators/superintendents_memos/2001/inf114a.pdf