COMMONWEALTH of VIRGINIA
Department of Education

April 24, 2015

TO:  Division Superintendents

FROM:  Steven R. Staples, Superintendent of Public Instruction

SUBJECT: 2015-2016 Board-Approved List of Industry Certification Examinations, State Professional Licensure Exams, and Occupational Competency Assessments

At its meeting on April 23, 2015, the Board of Education approved technical changes and additions to and deletions from the list of industry certification examinations, state professional licensure examinations, and occupational competency assessments pursuant to the Regulations Establishing Standards for Accrediting Public Schools in Virginia as follows:

• Board of Education’s Career and Technical Education Seal (8 VAC 20-131-50.H.3),
• Board of Education’s Seal of Advanced Mathematics and Technology (8 VAC 20-131-50.H.4),
• Standard and Verified Units of Credit (8 VAC 20-131-110.C – minimum criteria for substitute tests to verify Standard Units of Credit),
• Requirements for a Standard Diploma (8 VAC 20-131-50.B.2 – Footnotes 5, 6 and 8), and
• Requirements for an Advanced Diploma (8 VAC 20-131-50.C.2 – Footnote 5).

In addition, the board-approved list of industry credentials shall be used to comply, in part, with the graduation requirements for the Standard Diploma, as follows:

“Beginning with first-time ninth-grade students in the 2013-2014 school year, requirements for the standard diploma shall include a requirement to earn a career and technical education credential that has been approved by the Board....”
(Reference: Code of Virginia § 22.1-253.13:4(D)2 – Student achievement and graduation requirements)

If you have any questions, please contact the Office of Career and Technical Education Services by e-mail at cte@doe.virginia.gov or by telephone at 804-225-2052.

SRS/LBH/jts