Virginia Board of Education Resolution 1996-3
Examining Concerns Regarding History/Social Science Standards of Learning
Resolution Number 1996-3
March 28, 1996
WHEREAS, a committee of the Board of Education consisting of the President, Vice President, Immediate Past President, and a member was appointed to review concerns raised about the Standards of Learning in History and Social Science; and
WHEREAS, the committee of the Board held two lengthy and detailed meetings with representatives of the Virginia Consortium of Social Studies Specialists and College Educators and the Virginia Council for the Social Studies; and
WHEREAS, the social studies representatives expressed concern that (1) important social studies skills were not, in some instances, sufficiently expressed in the standards; (2) maximum flexibility be allowed in the assessment program to meet local variation in the scope and sequence of social studies courses; (3) sufficient time be allowed localities to meet the standards; and, (4) a few of the individual social studies standards needed greater precision in order to better guide local curriculum decisions; and
WHEREAS, the committee notes the General Assembly’s actions as stated in the 1996-98 Appropriation Act, which requires the following:
1. That no more than four tests of the Standards of Learning shall be administered;
2. That results of the 1997 field test of the Standards of Learning assessments will not be released; and
3. That the results of the 1997 and 1998 administrations of the Standards of Learning assessments not be used for any consequences.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Board of Education as follows:
That during the development of the Standards of Learning assessments in History and Social Science, the content review committees, to be established to work with the test contractors, examine the other concerns raised in order to consider the feasibility of resolving these concerns through the assessment process and bring recommendations to the Board for approval. For example, a list of specific social studies skills to be tested might be developed as an appendix to the standards;
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Board extend its appreciation to the classroom teachers, curriculum specialists and college educators who have presented their professional observations through the Virginia Consortium of Social Studies Specials and College Educators and the Virginia Council for the Social Studies; and
BE IT FINALLY RESOLVED that a copy of this resolution be mailed to all division superintendents and to the leadership of the professional organizations involved in the review of the Standards of Learning in History and Social Science.
Adopted in the Minutes of the Virginia Board of Education
March 28, 1996