COMMONWEALTH OF VIRGINIA

DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION

P.O. BOX 2120

RICHMOND, VIRGINIA 23218-2120

SUPTS. MEMO NO. 105

May 21, 2004

INFORMATIONAL

TO:	Division Superintendents
FROM:	Jo Lynne DeMary Superintendent of Public Instruction
SUBJECT:	Nominations for the 2004 Standards of Learning Assessment Forms Review Committees for Limited English Proficiency and Special Education

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

1. The 2004 Standards of Learning Limited English Proficiency (LEP) Assessment Forms Review Committee, and

2. The 2004 Standards of Learning Special Education Assessment Forms Review Committee.

Descriptions of the committees

The LEP Forms Review Committee will be responsible for reviewing test items on Plain English mathematics test forms. The Plain English mathematics test covers the same content as the regular mathematics test, but test items have been modified to address issues related to non-native English speakers who may have been in the United States only a short time and thereby encounter language barriers. Committee nominees should be educators with LEP expertise, experience in grades 3, 5, or 8 mathematics instruction, and in-depth knowledge of the Standards of Learning.

The Special Education Forms Review Committee will be responsible for reviewing test items on the Braille, large-print, and regular audiotape special 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 test 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.

All members selected for the 2004 Standards of Learning Assessment Forms Committees for LEP and special education will be expected to:

serve a one-year term with the option to apply for a second- or third-year term(s);

sign a Non-Disclosure/Conflict of Interest Agreement; and

participate in the committee meeting(s)scheduled by the Virginia Department of Education during October 5-8, 2004(see specific schedule on page 4 of 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 meeting(s); 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 10, 2004.

Thank you in advance for your continued support of this effort. If you have questions, please contact LB Hall (mailto:lhall@mail.vak12ed.edu), associate director, Division of Assessment and Reporting at (804) 786-9422.

JLD/SLR/jc

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