COMMONWEALTH of VIRGINIA
Department of Education

September 7, 2012

TO:  Division Superintendents

FROM:  Patricia I. Wright, Superintendent of Public Instruction

SUBJECT:  Nominations for Standard Setting Committees for the Science Standards of Learning Tests Based on the Revised 2010 Standards of Learning

The Office of Assessment Development is accepting nominations for standard setting committees for the Science Standards of Learning (SOL) tests.  Standard setting is necessary because of the implementation of new science tests based on the new 2010 Science SOL in 2012-2013.  The committee meetings will be held at the Wyndham Virginia Crossings Hotel and Conference Center, Glen Allen, Virginia, as follows:

November 7-9, 2012

• End-of-Course (EOC) Biology
• EOC Earth Science
• EOC Chemistry

February 19-21, 2013

• Grade 3 Science
• Grade 5 Science
• Grade 8 Science

The standard setting committees are responsible for recommending cut scores that reflect students’ achievement status.  These recommendations will be submitted to the Board of Education, which will then decide the cut scores for pass/proficient and pass/advanced status.  Approximately 20 teachers will be selected to serve on each of the six committees.  Teachers are expected to attend all daily meetings in their entirety and may not be excused for other meetings or events unless there is a personal emergency.  Teachers are expected to have the skills necessary to use a laptop computer and an electronic voting device which will be provided.  School divisions are encouraged to nominate a representative for each committee.

Committee members will be chosen based on the following criteria:

• instructional training and experience in the science content area;
• in-depth knowledge of the Science Standards of Learning;
• instructional experience with students who have disabilities and/or students with limited English proficiency; 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
• attendance certificate for recertification points (pending local approval).

School divisions will be reimbursed for substitute teacher pay at a rate of $75 per day.

All nominees who wish to serve on the standard setting 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 division-level approval.  Procedures for submitting the Web-based application are available at https://p1pe.doe.virginia.gov/acaps/.

Completed applications should be submitted to the Virginia Department of Education using ACAPS by September 28, 2012.

If you have questions, please contact the student assessment staff by e-mail at Student_Assessment@doe.virginia.gov or by phone at (804) 225-2102.

PIW/SLR/aw