COMMONWEALTH OF VIRGINIA

DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION

P.O. BOX 2120

RICHMOND, VIRGINIA 23218-2120

SUPTS. MEMO NO. 184

September 9, 2005

INFORMATIONAL

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

The purpose of this memo is to notify you of an additional graphing calculator that may be used on the Algebra I, Geometry, and Algebra II end-of-course Standards of Learning assessments. Casio has produced a new series of calculators, the Casio 9860G family, which meets the criteria for use on the end-of-course mathematics assessments. Currently students may use a graphing calculator from the TI-83 Plus series or the Casio 9850G series.

Regardless of the graphing calculator used, it is important to remember that the memory must be reset prior to test administration, clearing all memory contents not built into the calculators system.

If you have questions about the use of graphing calculators, please contact Deborah Kiger Bliss (Deborah.Bliss@doe.virginia.gov), mathematics coordinator, Office of Middle and High School Instruction, at (804) 786-6418. If you have questions about the end-of-course mathematics assessments, please contact Earl Jackson (Earl.Jackson@doe.virginia.gov), assessment specialist, Office of Assessment and Reporting, at (804) 225-2102.

JLD/DKB/EJ/yba