COMMONWEALTH
OF VIRGINIA
DEPARTMENT
OF EDUCATION
P.O.
BOX 2120
RICHMOND,
VIRGINIA 23218-2120
SUPTS. MEMO NO. 45
July 12, 2002
ADMINISTRATIVE
|
TO: |
Division Superintendents |
|
FROM: |
Jo Lynne DeMary Superintendent of Public Instruction |
|
SUBJECT: |
Board of Education Guidelines for Awarding
Differentiated Numbers of Verified Credit for Career and Technical Education
Certification and Licensure Examinations |
The Virginia Board of Education adopted the attached
Guidelines for Awarding Differentiated Numbers of Verified Credit for Career
and Technical Education Certification and Licensure Examinations at its meeting
on June 27, 2002. The guidelines are retroactive for students who are required
to earn verified credit (students who first entered the ninth grade in
2000-2001). Students who pass a
board-approved certification or licensure examination would earn one or two
student-selected verified credits in career and technical education, depending
on the course of study taken in preparation for the examination. The division
superintendent or his/her designee will determine whether an individual student
earns one or two verified credits for each examination passed based on the
application of Board of Education guidelines and criteria.
In April
2002, Governor Mark Warner sent a letter to Board of Education President Mark
Christie asking the board to consider developing administrative guidelines for
awarding differentiated numbers of verified credit for career and technical
certification and licensure examinations that have a demonstrated level of
complexity and breadth of knowledge beyond that which is generally associated
with a single course. Governor Warner
requested that consideration be given to making the guidelines retroactive for
students who first entered the ninth grade in 2000-2001.
In response to Governor Warners letter, Mr. Mark
Christie, President of the Board of Education, appointed Delegate Thomas M.
Jackson, state board member, to work with the Department of Education and an
advisory committee to develop guidelines and recommendations for awarding
differentiated verified credits for certification and licensure examinations.
In May, Delegate Jackson convened an advisory committee consisting of career
and technical educators, division administrators, and professionals
representing business and industry. This advisory committee unanimously
supported the attached guidelines and criteria.
Verified credits earned in career and technical
education may be used to satisfy student-selected verified credit requirements
for the Standard Diploma or Advanced Studies Diploma. During a transition
period applicable only to the ninth-grade classes of 2000-2001, 2001-2002, and
2002-2003, students shall earn the 22 standard units of credit described in 8 VAC 20-131-50. Requirements for graduation
and the following number of verified units of credit to receive a Standard
Diploma:
Two verified units of credit in English.
Four additional verified units of credit of the
students own choosing. These four student-selected verified credits may be in
Standards of Learning (SOL) courses or other areas as prescribed by the Board
of Education. Students may mix and match SOL tests with other approved
substitute assessments, including career and technical education certification and
licensure examinations.
The Board of Education has approved a list of
industry certification and licensure examinations to satisfy the requirements
for the Board of Educations Career and Technical Education Seal; Board of
Educations Seal of Advanced Mathematics and Technology; and student-selected
verified credit. The list of examinations can be found at: http://www.pen.k12.va.us/VDOE/Instruction/CTE/memos/seals/document02a.pdf.
The Department of Educations Career and Technical
Education (CTE) Administrative Planning Guide (2002-2003) provides information
on CTE program completion requirements, course concentration and specialization
sequences, and certification and licensure examinations. This document can be
accessed at: http://www.pen.k12.va.us/VDOE/Instruction/CTE/
Counselors, teachers, and administrators should
refer to this guide to determine whether a student meets the career and
technical education concentration or specialization course requirements for
program completer.
Questions
about the administrative guidelines for awarding verified credit for career and
technical certification and licensure examinations should be addressed to James
A. Gray (mailto:jimgray@pen.k12.va.us), associate director for career and
technical education, at 804-225-2833.
Attachments
/administrators/superintendents_memos/2002/adm045a.pdf