Virginia Board of Education
October 22, 2009–Final Report –Review of the Standards of Quality (Approved by the Virginia Board of Education on October 22, 2009)
October 22, 2009 –The Board of Education is seeking comment on the draft of the Educational Technology Plan for Virginia: 2009-15. Comments must be received on or before November 12, 2009, in order to be considered by the Board of Education. Interested persons and organizations may send coments to Ms. Betsy Gragnani, Virginia Department of Education, Office of Educational Technology, P.O. Box 2120 Richmond, VA 23218.
October 22, 2009 –The Board of Education is now seeking public comment on the Proposed Revised English Standards of Learning and Science Standards of Learning. Public hearings to be held.
Vision
The vision of the Board of Education and Superintendent of Public Instruction, in cooperation with their partners, is to create an excellent statewide system of public education that derives strength from our diversity and that ensures equality of opportunity for each student in a safe and healthy learning environment that prepares all students to be capable, responsible, and self-reliant citizens in the global society.
Mission
The mission of the Board of Education and Superintendent of Public Instruction, in cooperation with their partners, is to set education policy and provide leadership that improves the achievement of all students by advocating for effective programs that address individual and diverse learning needs of students, establishes high standards and has high expectations for learning, measures student performance, provides accountability to the public, and promotes a culture of lifelong learning.
The Board of Education serves as the primary advocate for a quality education for all children and youth in the state. The board seeks to promote excellence in the education of all students and is responsible for policies that promote educational quality throughout the state. In this capacity, the board defines the fundamental mission of the state’s education system and develops the system’s long-range goals. In order to meet these goals, the board enacts appropriate regulations, supports local implementation efforts, and regularly measures the performance of the system.
Duties
The main duties of the Board of Education include:
- Setting statewide curriculum standards;
- Establishing high school graduation requirements;
- Determining qualifications for classroom teachers, principals, and other education personnel;
- Establishing state testing and assessment programs;
- Establishing standards for accreditation of local school divisions and preparation programs for teachers and administrators;
- Implementing the No Child Left Behind Act and administering federal assistance programs; and
- Developing rules and regulations for the administration of state programs.
The Board of Education consists of nine members appointed by the Governor, subject to confirmation by the General Assembly. Members are appointed to serve a term of four years. No member shall be appointed to more than two consecutive four-year terms.
Board of Education Adolescent Literacy Policy Summit, Closing the Achievement Gap: A Focus on Adolescent Literacy
Preparing students for Virginia’s rigorous diploma standards and for success in postsecondary education and the workforce requires the cultivation of literacy through all grade spans. The Board of Education’s May 1, 2007, adolescent literacy policy summit, Closing the Achievement Gap: A Focus on Adolescent Literacy, included presentations on current research about adolescent literacy and the perspectives of nationally recognized experts.
Participants were challenged by President Mark E. Emblidge to take insights gained at the summit back to their school divisions and institutions and assist the board in beginning a state-wide conversation about the development of policies and practices to strengthen adolescent literacy.