COMMONWEALTH OF VIRGINIA

DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION

P.O. BOX 2120

RICHMOND, VIRGINIA 23218-2120

SUPTS. MEMO NO. 179

September 8, 2006

INFORMATIONAL

TO:

Division Superintendents

 

FROM:

Billy K. Cannaday, Jr.

Superintendent of Public Instruction

 

SUBJECT:

Alignment Review Committee Nominations

 

 

Under the federal No Child Left Behind Act states are required to conduct studies documenting the alignment of the assessments used for Adequate Yearly Progress with the state content standards. To meet this requirement, the Virginia Department of Education is convening committees of Virginia educators to review the Standards of Learning (SOL) assessments and the Virginia Grade Level Alternative (VGLA) assessments in the areas of reading and mathematics to determine the degree of alignment between these assessments and the SOL content standards. The Division of Assessment and Reporting is seeking nominations for membership on the SOL and VGLA Alignment Review Committees for reading and mathematics for grades 3 through 5, grades 6 through 8, and SOL end-of-course. Approximately twelve educators will be selected to serve on each of the ten committees (six for SOL assessment and four for the VGLA assessment). School divisions are encouraged to nominate one representative for each committee.

 

The Alignment Review Committee meetings will be conducted October 16-17, 2006, at the Virginia Crossings Resort, Richmond, Virginia. Committee members will be chosen according to the following criteria:

 

  • expertise and instructional/supervisory experience in general and/or special education and in the content areas of reading and/or mathematics; and
  • balanced regional representation.

Committee members will be provided the following:

 

  • reimbursement for meals and travel expenses in accordance with state travel policy and procedures;
  • lodging; and
  • a certificate for recertification points.

 

Individuals may initiate the application process for the Alignment Review Committees or may be nominated. In either case, all nominees must complete the attached application and obtain written approval from their division superintendent. Completed applications must be received by the Virginia Department of Education by September 25, 2006.

 

If you have questions, please contact the Division of Assessment and Reporting at darfax@doe.virginia.gov or by phone at (804) 225-2102.

 

BKC/SLR/jc

 

Attachment

 

http://www.doe.virginia.gov/administrators/superintendents_memos/2006/inf179a.doc