DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
P.O.
SUPTS. MEMO NO. 245
November 17, 2006
INFORMATIONAL
|
TO: |
Division
Superintendents |
|
FROM: |
Billy K.
Cannaday, Jr. Superintendent
of Public Instruction |
|
SUBJECT: |
Nominations
for the 2007 Standards of Learning Assessments End-of-Course Content Area
Bias/Sensitivity Review Committees |
The Division of Assessment and Reporting is
accepting nominations for the 2007 Standards of Learning (SOL) Assessments
End-of-Course (EOC) Content Area Bias/Sensitivity Review Committees. Fifteen members are needed for each of the
four EOC content areas: English, mathematics, science, and history/social
science. The bias/sensitivity committee
members review test items for stereotypical contents or terms that might be
offensive to any gender, ethnic, religious, political, age, or socio-economic
group. The schedule for these committees is as
follows:
English July 30 August 1
Mathematics July 30-31
History and Social
Science July 30-31
Science July 30-31
Each school principal will be mailed
recruitment posters. We ask that the recruitment posters be displayed
prominently in the school building.
School divisions are encouraged to nominate one or more representatives for
each bias/sensitivity committee.
Bias/sensitivity committee
members will be chosen based on the following criteria:
experience and training in issues of stereotyping, equity, and fairness;
in-depth knowledge of the SOL;
instructional/supervisory experience with students
of varied learning styles, abilities, and aptitudes, including students with disabilities
and students with limited English proficiency; and
balanced regional representation.
Committee members selected for the 2007 SOL
Assessments EOC Content Area Bias/Sensitivity Review will be expected to:
serve
a one-year term;
sign a Non-Disclosure/Conflict
of Interest Agreement;
participate
in the committee meetings scheduled by the Virginia Department of Education;
examine
test items for stereotyping regarding gender, ethnic,
religious, political, age, or socio-economic group;
determine if test items are fair to all students who
have taken a particular course in Virginia schools, regardless of the students
gender, ethnicity, religion, or socio-economic status; and
review data to determine if students of different
groups perform differently and identify possible reasons for differential
performance.
Committee members will be
provided the following:
reimbursement for meals and
travel expenses in accordance with state travel policy and guidelines;
lodging;
honorarium of $100 per
meeting day for committee members not under contract with a school division at
the time of meeting; and
certificate for
recertification points (pending local approval).
Individuals may initiate the
application process or be
nominated. In either case, all nominees
who wish to serve on the SOL assessment bias/sensitivity review committees must
complete the Web-based application. The application submission window opens December
4, 2006, and closes on January 31, 2007. All applicants who have
previously served on these committees must also complete the Web-based
application. The Web-based application process requires a professional
reference and approval from the division superintendent. Procedures for
submitting the Web-based application process will be available at http://www.doe.virginia.gov/VDOE/Assessment/home.shtml
by December 4, 2006.
You are invited to nominate one
or more distinguished educators in your division for each of the four
bias/sensitivity committees. Completed applications are due to the Virginia
Department of Education through the Web-based submission process by January 31,
2007.
If you have questions, please
contact the Division of Assessment and Reporting at darfax@doe.virginia.gov or by phone
at (804) 225-2107.
Your continued support of this
effort is greatly appreciated.
BKCJr/SLR/cd