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

SUPTS. MEMO NO. 10
November 9, 2001

REGULATORY

At its meeting on October 22, the Board of Education adopted a new policy for calculating accreditation ratings in accordance with the provisions the Regulations Establishing Standards for Accrediting Public Schools in Virginia. The scores of students who have passed a course but who are retaking Standards of Learning tests for verified credit will be included in school accreditation ratings only if they pass the test.

Therefore, the scores of students not enrolled in a class who do not pass the retake of the tests will not be included in the calculation of the accreditation rating, regardless of how many times they have retaken the test.  Students who retake courses and the related end-of-course test revert back to the “eligible student” pool as defined in   8 VAC 20-131-280.C.4 of the standards and count in the calculation.

The accrediting standards require the Board of Education to provide “adequate notice” to local school boards of any changes in the inclusion and exclusion of students for the purpose of calculating accreditation ratings.  That notice will be transmitted directly from the president of the Board of Education to the chairs of local school boards.

I appreciate your continued support of the Standards of Learning and your desire to comply with the provisions of the accrediting standards.  If you have questions, please contact me or Charles W. Finley, assistant superintendent for accountability services.  Mr. Finley can be reached by phone at (804) 786-9421 or by e-mail at mailto:cfinley@pen.k12.va.us.

JLD/cwf