COMMONWEALTH OF VIRGINIA

DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION

P.O. BOX 2120

RICHMOND, VIRGINIA 23218-2120

SUPTS. MEMO NO. 117

May 9, 2008

INFORMATIONAL

TO:	Division Superintendents
FROM:	Billy K. Cannaday, Jr. Superintendent of Public Instruction
SUBJECT:	Nominations for the Standards of Learning (SOL) and Virginia Grade Level Alternative (VGLA) Science Assessments Alignment Study Committees

 

The Office of Assessment Development is accepting nominations for the alignment study of the Standards of Learning (SOL) and the Virginia Grade Level Alternative (VGLA) science assessments with the SOL science standards. Based on subject area/grade-level content knowledge and instructional/supervisory experience, twelve educators will be selected for each of the following six committees:

 

• End-of-Course (EOC) Earth Science
• EOC Biology
• EOC Chemistry
• Grade 3 SOL Science and Grade 3 VGLA Science
• Grade 5 SOL Science and Grade 5 VGLA Science
• Grade 8 SOL Science and Grade 8 VGLA Science

 

Committee members will evaluate the degree to which the SOL and VGLA assessments are in agreement with the science standards.

 

The EOC committee meetings will be conducted on September 24, and the grades 3, 5, and 8 meetings will be conducted September 24 and 25, 2008. All committee meetings will take place at the Sheraton Park South Hotel, Richmond, Virginia.

 

School divisions are encouraged to nominate one or more representatives for each alignment study committee. Nominees may include subject area/grade-level content teachers, special education teachers familiar with the VGLA science assessments, and curriculum and instructional specialists.

Committee members will be chosen based on the following criteria:

 

         instructional/supervisory training and experience in general and special education background in the area of science; and

         balanced regional representation.

Committee members will be provided the following:

 

         reimbursement for meals and travel expenses in accordance with state travel policy and guidelines;

         lodging; and

         certificate for recertification points (pending local approval).

 

All nominees who wish to serve on the alignment study committees must complete the Web-based application using the Assessment Committee Application Processing System (ACAPS). The Web-based application process requires a professional reference and approval from the division superintendent or designee. Procedures for submitting the Web-based application are available at

http://www.doe.virginia.gov/VDOE/Assessment/ACAPS/index.htm.

 

Completed applications should be submitted to the Virginia Department of Education using ACAPS by June 6, 2008.

 

If you have questions, please contact the Office of Assessment Development at Student_Assessment@doe.virginia.gov or by phone at (804) 225-2918.

 

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