INFORMATIONAL

TO:

Division Superintendents

FROM:

Jo Lynne DeMary

Superintendent of Public Instruction

SUBJECT:

Transmittal of the 2002 Standards of Quality

This memorandum provides information regarding the changes to the Code of Virginias Standards of Quality (SOQ), 22.1-253.13:1 through 22.1-253.13:8, passed by the 2002 General Assembly. The revisions were effective July 1, 2002, unless otherwise noted. There are two versions of Standards 1, 3, and 4 in the SOQ: a version effective until July 1, 2003, and another effective on July 1, 2003.

Attached is a copy of a highlighted version of the SOQ that includes the changes noted in italics and deletions. An enactment clause in 22.1-253.13.3, as amended by Senate Bill 477, is noted in boldface type. Also attached is a copy of the SOQ, as amended.

The 2002 General Assembly revised the SOQ through the following legislation:

House Bill 159 directs the Department of Education to make available and maintain a website for educators to suggest improvements to the Standards of Learning in a specific content area when under review by the Board of Education according to the established schedule, and submit recommendations for related assessments. See 22.1-253.13:3 E.1 of the Code (effective until July 1, 2003 and on July 1, 2003.)

House Bill 1136 requires guidance counselors in elementary schools at the following staffing levels: one hour per day per 100 students, one full-time at 500 students, and one hour per day additional time per 100 students or major fraction thereof. See 22.1-253.13:3 B.5 of the Code (effective until July 1, 2003 and on July 1, 2003.)

House Bill 1277 clarifies the requirement for two sequential electives for a standard high school diploma. See 22.1-253.13:3 B.2 of the Code (effective until July 1, 2003 and on July 1, 2003.)

Senate Bill 334 requires each local school board to secure the input of area business and industry representatives and local community colleges in the development of their career and technical education plan and submit the plan to the Superintendent of Public Instruction. See 22.1-253.13:1 D.4 of the Code (effective until July 1, 2003 and on July 1, 2003.)

Senate Bill 477 authorizes the Board of Education to substitute industry certification and state licensure examinations for SOL tests to enhance the quality of career and technical education and award verified units of credit for career and technical education courses where appropriate. See 22.1-253.13:3 B.5 of the Code (effective until July 1, 2003 and on July 1, 2003.) Also, 22.1-227.1 of the Code was amended.

An enactment clause was added to 22.1-253.13:3, effective July 1, 2003, that provides that the Board of Education continues to have the authority and discretion to establish accreditation standards and the requirements for obtaining a diploma. The clause also provided that the Board of Education is not required to authorize the award of verified units of credit for any specific industry certification or state licensure examination.

I hope that you will find this information helpful. You can find a final legislative report for the 2002 General Assembly session on the departments website at www.pen.k12.va.us/ under Legislation on the Policy and Public Affairs Web page.

Please contact Dr. Cynthia Cave, director of policy, at (804) 371-0558 or ccave@mail.vak12ed.edu) if you need additional information.

JLD/MJP/cb

Attachments

/administrators/superintendents_memos/2002/inf101a.pdf

/administrators/superintendents_memos/2002/inf101b.pdf