January 16, 2003

INFORMATIONAL

TO:

Division Superintendents

FROM:

Jo Lynne DeMary

Superintendent of Public Instruction

SUBJECT:

Comment Invited for the Draft of the Revised English Standards of Learning Curriculum Framework

I am pleased to inform you that a draft of the revised English Standards of Learning Curriculum Framework has been posted on the Department of Educations website. The Board of Education adopted the revised English Standards of Learning in November 2002. After the Standards of Learning for English were revised, it became necessary to revise the English Standards of Learning Curriculum Framework, formerly known as the Teacher Resource Guide, for those standards.

The English Standards of Learning, amplified by the Curriculum Framework, define the content knowledge and skills that are measured by the Standards of Learning tests. The Curriculum Framework provides additional guidance to school divisions and teachers as they develop an instructional program appropriate for their students. It assists teachers as they plan their lessons by framing the essential understandings, and defining the essential knowledge, skills or processes students need to master.

The Department of Education invites you to review and comment on the revised English Standards of Learning Curriculum Framework. The document can be found at http://www.pen.k12.va.us/VDOE/SOLcommentforms/engsolcurrfrmwrkcmnts.html. Comments will be accepted until February 14, 2003.

In addition, public hearings will be held on February 10, 2003, at 7:00 p.m. in the following locations:

Abingdon High School 705 Thompson Dr.

Abingdon, VA 24210

Manchester Middle School 7401 Hull Street Rd.

Richmond, VA 23235

Fairfax High School 3500 Old Lee Hwy.

Fairfax, VA 22030

Mary Passage Middle School 15316 Warwick Blvd.

Newport News, VA 23602

If you need additional information about the draft of the revised English Standards of Learning Curriculum Framework, please contact Anita Wallace (mailto:awallace@mail.vak12ed.edu), secondary English specialist at (804) 371-7585; Catherine Rosenbaum (mailto:crosenba@mail.vak12ed.edu), middle English specialist at (804) 225-2665; or Barbara Jones (mailto:bjones@mail.vak12ed.edu), elementary English specialist at (804) 786-1997.

JLD/BFJ/vdg