Superintendent's Memo #313-09

COMMONWEALTH of VIRGINIA
Department of Education

November 6, 2009

TO: Division Superintendents

FROM: Patricia I. Wright, Superintendent of Public Instruction

SUBJECT: Nominations for 2010 Virginia Modified Achievement Standards Test (VMAST) Item Review Committees

The Office of Test Administration, Scoring, and Reporting is accepting nominations for the Grade-8 Reading and Mathematics VMAST Item Review Committees. The VMAST is an alternate assessment designed for a small population of students with disabilities who are learning grade-level standards but who are not expected to progress at the same rate as regular education students. This assessment provides supports and simplifications to existing Standards of Learning grade-8 reading and mathematics online assessment items.

Approximately 12 educators in special education and general education who provide instruction and/or supervision for students with disabilities will be selected for each of the two committees. The VMAST committee meetings will be conducted January 12-13, 2010, Wyndham Virginia Crossings Hotel & Conference Center, Glen Allen, Virginia. School divisions are encouraged to nominate one or more representatives.

The VMAST item review committee members will be chosen based on the following criteria:

• instructional training and experience in special education or general education teaching grade-8 reading or mathematics;
• expertise in instructional/supervisory of students with disabilities in reading or mathematics; and
• balanced regional representation.

Committee members will be provided the following:

• reimbursement for meals and travel expenses in accordance with state travel policy and procedures;
• lodging; and
• attendance verification for recertification points (pending local approval).

All nominees must submit an application through the Web-based Assessment Committee Application Processing System (ACAPS). ACAPS is a “paperless” system for the submission and review of assessment committee applications from educators in Virginia public schools. The Web-based application process requires one professional reference and the division superintendent’s or designee’s approval. An Internet browser must be used to access ACAPS at http://www.doe.virginia.gov/testing/assessment_committees/index.shtml. Completed Web-based applications should be submitted to the Virginia Department of Education by December 4, 2009.

If you have questions, please contact the student assessment staff by e-mail at student_assessment@doe.virginia.gov or call (804) 225-2107.

PIW/SLR/cd