COMMONWEALTH OF VIRGINIA

DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION

P.O. BOX 2120

RICHMOND, VIRGINIA 23218-2120

SUPTS. MEMO NO. 7

January 31, 2003

ADMINISTRATIVE

TO:	Division Superintendents
FROM:	Jo Lynne DeMary Superintendent of Public Instruction
SUBJECT:	Requesting Nominations for the 2003 Standards of Learning Assessment Content Review Committees for Grades 4, 6, and 7 in English: Reading and Mathematics

The Division of Assessment and Reporting is seeking nominations for membership on the 2003 Standards of Learning Assessment Content Review Committees for Grades 4, 6, and 7 in English: Reading and Mathematics. Approximately 12-15 members are needed for each of the six content committees.

Based on requirements of the No Child Left Behind legislation, Virginia must develop new Standards of Learning tests for grades 4, 6, and 7 in English: Reading and Mathematics. It is projected that the field test of these new tests will be administered in 2003-2004 and 20042005 with implementation in 2005-2006.

Over the next three years, a system will be phased in for recruiting and implementing an annual rotation of committee membership. An annual rotation of committee members will provide the opportunity for a greater number of 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:

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 2003 Content Review Committees for grades 4, 6, and 7 in English: Reading and Mathematics will be expected to:

Make a commitment to serve a one-year term with the option to apply for a second-year term in 2004;

Sign a Non-Disclosure/Conflict of Interest Agreement;

Participate in one two-day committee meeting in Richmond scheduled from the end of June through mid-August;

Examine test items to confirm a match with the Standards of Learning and review items for appropriateness and fairness.

Committee members will be provided the following:

Reimbursement for meals and travel expenses in accordance with state travel policy and procedures;

Lodging;

Honorarium of $50 per meeting day for committee members not under contract with a school division; and

Certificate for recertification points.

Individuals may initiate the application process for the 2003 Content Review Committees in grades 4, 6, and 7 in English: Reading and Mathematics or may be nominated. In either case, all nominees are required to submit the attached application. The applicant must provide two professional references and obtain written approval from their division superintendent.

You are invited to identify in your division one distinguished educator for each of the six committees. Completed applications are due to the Virginia Department of Education by March 14, 2003.

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

Thank you in advance for your continued support of this important endeavor.

JLD/SLR/LBH/jc

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