COMMONWEALTH OF VIRGINIA

DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION

P.O. BOX 2120

RICHMOND, VIRGINIA 23218-2120

SUPTS. MEMO NO. 301

December 12, 2008

INFORMATIONAL

TO:	Division Superintendents
FROM:	Patricia I. Wright Superintendent of Public Instruction
SUBJECT:	Transmittal of "Statement of Administrative Impact and Projected Costs of Implementation" for the Proposed Revisions to Regulations Governing the Determination of Critical Teacher Shortage Areas for Awarding the Virginia Teaching Scholarship Loan Program [8VAC 20‑650]; Regulations Governing Reduction of State Aid When Length of School Terms Below 180 Teaching Days or 990 Teaching Hours [8VAC 20‑521]; and Regulations Governing Public Participation [8VAC 20‑11]

As part of its responsibilities for promulgating new regulations or revisions to existing regulations, the Virginia Board of Education is required to develop a statement of the administrative impact and the projected costs of implementing and complying with such regulations. The Board and the Virginia Department of Education are required to send a copy of the statement to each division superintendent [Refer to Section 22.1-17 of the Code of Virginia].

 

Within recent months, the Board of Education has proposed revisions under the fast-track provisions of the Administrative Process Act in order to expedite revisions that are expected to be non-controversial. Revisions have been proposed in regulations as follows:

 

• Regulations Governing the Determination of Critical Teacher Shortage Areas for Awarding the Virginia Teaching Scholarship Loan Program [8VAC 20‑650]: The proposed amendments include expanding the eligibility criteria to include students in an approved teacher education program leading to an endorsement in career and technical education. The purpose is to align the Board of Education regulation with the requirements of the Code of Virginia, as amended by the 2008 General Assembly. The proposed revisions may be viewed at: http://www.doe.virginia.gov/boe/meetings/2008/11_nov/agenda_items/item_b.pdf

 

        Regulations Governing Reduction of State Aid When Length of School Terms Below 180 Teaching Days or 990 Teaching Hours [8VAC 20‑521]: The proposed amendment is to revise the language of 8VAC 20-521-60 that states shall certify by April 15 of each school year to shall certify annually, at a time and in a form prescribed by the Virginia Department of Education. The revision will permit this certification to be added to the Collection of Data Relative to Compliance with the Standards of Quality and Other Certifications, which is due by the end of May each year. Thus, the amendment reduces administrative burden and eliminates duplication in reporting for local school divisions. The proposed revisions may be viewed at: http://www.doe.virginia.gov/boe/meetings/2008agenda_items/item_a.pdf

 

• Regulations Governing Public Participation [8VAC 20‑11]: The proposed amendments are minor, non-controversial revisions to model public participation guidelines as developed by the Department of Planning and Budget (DPB), under the Code of Virginia 2.2-4007.02, as amended. The proposed amendments are non-controversial in that they are consistent with long-standing Board of Education practice and procedures. In no instance is the intent or meaning of a provision changed or modified from the model public participation guidelines as promulgated by DPB. The proposed revisions may be viewed at: http://www.doe.virginia.gov/boe/meetings/2008agenda_items/item_a.pdf

 

ADMINISTRATIVE AND FISCAL IMPACT

 

The Board of Education anticipates no negative administrative and fiscal impact accruing to the locality or to the state as a result of the proposed revisions in the regulations listed above.

 

For additional information, please contact Dr. Margaret N. Roberts, executive assistant to the Board of Education, at (804) 225-2924, or by e-mail at Margaret.Roberts@doe.virginia.gov

 

PIW/MNR/mfm