COMMONWEALTH OF VIRGINIA

DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION

P.O. BOX 2120

RICHMOND, VIRGINIA 23218-2120

SUPTS. MEMO NO. 112

June 27, 2003

INFORMATIONAL

TO:	Division Superintendents
FROM:	Jo Lynne DeMary Superintendent of Public Instruction
SUBJECT:	Calculator Use on the Standards of Learning Assessments

As you are aware, the No Child Left Behind Act of 2001 requires each state to administer mathematics assessments in each grade 3 through 8. The field-testing of the grade- level assessments for each grade 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 will begin in the spring of 2004. The purpose of this memo is to establish the guidelines for the use of calculators on each grade-level assessment. The four-function calculator will continue to be allowed on each of the grade-level assessments. In addition, a scientific calculator that does not have a fraction capability will be allowed on grades 6, 7, and 8 assessments. The Department of Education has identified two calculators that meet the specifications for the scientific calculators. They are the TI-30Xa Solar and the SHARP EL-501V. School divisions may use funding from Title V, Part A, and Title II, Part D, formula funds from the No Child Left Behind funds to purchase calculators. The scientific calculator will be allowed for students participating in the field test of the grade 6 and 7 mathematics tests in 2004 and 2005. For the grade 8 cumulative test that will continue to be given in 2003-2004 and 2004-2005 school years only the four-function calculator can be used.

If you have questions about the field test of the assessments for grades 4, 5, 6, 7, and 8, please contact Suzanne Trevvet (strevvet@mail.vak12ed.edu), associate director of assessment, at (804) 225-2917. For questions about the calculators, please contact Christa Southall (csouthal@mail.vak12ed.edu), middle school mathematics specialist, at (804) 786-8078.

JLD/MH