DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
P.O.
SUPTS. MEMO NO. 139
July 20, 2007
INFORMATIONAL
|
TO: |
Division
Superintendents |
|
FROM: |
Billy K.
Cannaday, Jr. Superintendent
of Public Instruction |
|
SUBJECT: |
No Child
Left Behind Requirements for |
The
No Child Left Behind
Act of 2001 requires annual testing of reading and mathematics achievement
in grades 3 through 8 and once in high school.
Based on this requirement school divisions are reminded that their
course-taking patterns, including those for accelerated students, should ensure
that students will take a Standards of Learning (SOL) test in reading and
mathematics each year in grades 3 through 8.
For example, accelerated students might receive instruction in the grade
8 mathematics standards in grade 7 and take the grade 8 SOL mathematics
test. These students could then take
Algebra I and the associated end-of-course test in grade 8. Alternatively, students who receive instruction
in the grade 7 mathematics content in grade 7 and take the grade 7 SOL
mathematics test might take Algebra I, Part I, in grade 8. As noted in Informational Superintendents
Memorandum No. 159, August 12, 2005, such students would take the grade 8 mathematics
test. Please be advised that the Algebra
I, Part I, course was never intended for middle school students and may be phased
out as a standard credit-bearing course in future years. School divisions are encouraged to examine
their course-taking patterns to ensure compliance with the requirement that
students in grades 3 through 8 take a reading and a mathematics SOL test each
year and to make adjustments as needed.
If
you have questions, please contact the staff of the Division of Student Assessment
and School Improvement at Student_Assessment@doe.virginia.gov
or by phone at
(804)
225-2102.
BKCJr/SLR/jc