COMMONWEALTH OF VIRGINIA

DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION

P.O. BOX 2120

RICHMOND, VIRGINIA 23218-2120

SUPTS. MEMO NO. 80

April 6, 2007

INFORMATIONAL

TO:	Division Superintendents
FROM:	Billy K. Cannaday, Jr. Superintendent of Public Instruction
SUBJECT:	Request for Waiver of the Verified Units of Credit Requirements

The purpose of this memorandum is to provide school divisions with information regarding the process for requesting a waiver of the verified units of credit for seniors who meet the requirements and to provide all school divisions with a copy of the revised waiver request form.

In Virginia, students seeking a Standard or Advanced Studies Diploma are required to earn a minimum number of verified units of credit. Students transferring into a Virginia high school for the first time after 20 instructional hours per course of their senior or twelfth grade year shall be given every opportunity to earn a Standard, Advanced Studies, or Modified Standard Diploma. If it is not possible for the student to meet the requirements for a diploma, arrangements should be made for the students previous school to award the diploma.

If these arrangements cannot be made, a waiver of the verified unit of credit requirements may be available to the student seeking a Standard or Advanced Studies Diploma. Please see Regulations Establishing Standards for Accrediting Public Schools in Virginia at 8 VAC 20-131-60.H found at http://www.doe.virginia.gov/VDOE/Accountability/soa.html. This waiver is not available to students seeking a Modified Standard Diploma because that diploma does not require verified units of credit.

The Department of Education may grant this waiver upon request by the local school board. Through the division superintendent, the school board may request a waiver of the verified credit requirements for an eligible student by providing a written request no more than 90 calendar days prior to the students anticipated graduation date. A request must be submitted on the form provided by the Department, shall document the students initial date of enrollment, and show what efforts have been made to comply with the regulations.

This waiver is an option for eligible senior transfer students who are not able to meet the diploma requirements for verified units of credit. However, schools have an obligation to see that all students and parents are aware of the graduation requirements and to provide the support necessary to meet those requirements.

The required waiver form is attached. Please distribute this form and memorandum to school counselors and other school staff responsible for this process. Completed forms should be mailed to:

Joseph A. Wharff

School Counseling Specialist

Virginia Department of Education

P. O. Box 2120

Richmond Virginia 23218-2120

If you need additional information, please contact Joseph A. Wharff, school counseling specialist, Office of Middle and High School Instruction, by e-mail at Joseph.Wharff@doe.virginia.gov, or by telephone at (804) 786-9377.

BKCJr/JAW/cce

http://www.doe.virginia.gov/administrators/superintendents_memos/2007/inf080a.doc