COMMONWEALTH OF VIRGINIA

DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION

P.O. BOX 2120

RICHMOND, VIRGINIA 23218-2120

SUPTS. MEMO NO. 88

May 16, 2003

INFORMATIONAL

TO:	Division Superintendents
FROM:	Jo Lynne DeMary Superintendent of Public Instruction
SUBJECT:	Request for Nominations for the 2003 Standards of Learning Assessment Committees for Limited English Proficiency and Special Education

The Division of Assessment and Reporting is seeking membership nominations for the following two committees:

1. The 2003 Standards of Learning Limited English Proficiency (LEP) Assessment Committee, and

2. The 2003 Standards of Learning Special Education Assessment Committee.

Descriptions of the committees

The LEP Committee will be responsible for reviewing test items on mathematics test forms that will be modified to accommodate requirements of the NCLB legislation. Committee members should be educators with LEP expertise, experience in grades 4-8 mathematics instruction, and in-depth knowledge of the Standards of Learning.

The LEP committee members will be expected to review test items to be used in plain English mathematics test forms. Members will examine items to determine ways to enhance readability for LEP students by simplifying syntax and vocabulary.

The Special Education Committee will be responsible for reviewing test forms to be used with students who are visually impaired. Committee nominees should be educators with expertise in special education and experience with the administration of Braille, large-print, and regular audiotape special forms.

The Special Education Committee members will be expected to review test items for inclusion on the Braille, large-print, and regular audiotape special forms.

Selection process

Twelve to 15 members are needed for each committee. Although committee participation is limited to one representative per school division, a school division may have multiple representatives serving on different committees. During the next three years, a system will be phased in for implementing a partial rotation of membership on an annual basis. A partial rotation of committee members will provide an opportunity for more teachers to contribute to the development of the Standards of Learning assessments while retaining the experience and knowledge of veteran committee members.

All members selected for the 2003 Standards of Learning Assessment Committees for LEP and special education will be expected 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; and

participate in the committee meetings as determined by the Virginia Department of Education (see tentative

schedule on page 4 in the attached application packet).

Individuals may initiate the application process or be nominated for these committees. In either case, all nominees must complete an application. The applicant must provide two professional references in support of the nomination and obtain approval from the division superintendent. Detailed information is included in the application packet that outlines requirements, provisions, selection criteria, and a prototype of a typical meeting days agenda.

Provisions for committee members

Committee members will be provided the following:

reimbursement for meals and travel expenses in accordance with state travel policy and guidelines;

lodging;

honorarium of $50 per meeting day for committee members not under contract with a school division at the time of meetings; and

certificate for recertification points.

You are invited to identify one distinguished educator in your division for each of the two committees and encourage them to apply for this important service. Completed applications are due to the Virginia Department of Education by June 20, 2003.

Thank you in advance for your continued support of this effort. 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.

JLD/SLR/jc

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