INFORMATIONAL

The legislation to phase out the Literacy Passport Test
program (LPT) has passed by the General Assembly and was
signed by the Governor.  Essentially, the legislation phases
out the Literacy Passport Testing program in synchronization
with implementation of the new verified credit requirements in
the Regulations Establishing Standards for Accrediting Public
Schools in Virginia. 

Consequently, the LPT will continue to be administered for all
students graduating prior to 2004 and those students would be
required to pass the LPT tests in order to receive a standard
or advanced studies diploma.  The LPT program would remain in
place until those students have received their diplomas. 
Students in the class of 2004 (the sixth grade class in school
year 1997-98) would take the LPT; however, the results from
the test would  only be used for remediation purposes and not
for graduation or grade classification requirements. 
Beginning with the class of 2005 (the 6th grade class in
school year 1998-99) the LPT would not be administered.    

The following table depicts how the LPT would be phased out. 
The test would be administered in the summer, fall, and spring
of each school year for the grade level of students as
represented by the X.  Beginning with the Class of 2005 (the
6th grade class in school year 1998-99) the LPT would not be
administered.    

School   Grade 8  Grade9 Grade10  Grade 11 Grade 12 Adults Returning 
Year                                                       to Upgrade 
                                                           to a Diploma  
1998-99  X        X      X        X        X        X      X         
1999-00           X      X        X        X        X      X       
2000-01                  X        X        X        X      X       
2001-02                           X        X        X      X       
2002-03                                    X        X      X       
2003-04                                             X      X       
2004-05                                             X      X       
2005-06                                             X      X       


1.        Which class will be the last complete class required
          to pass the LPT to receive a standard or advanced
          studies diploma?

          Students in the Class of 2003 (seventh graders in
          the 1997-98 school year) will be the last complete
          class required to pass the LPT to receive a standard
          or advanced studies diploma.

 2.       What happens to a student who fails back into a
          class which has the new verified credit graduation
          requirements?

          Students who are in grade nine prior to 2000, for
          whom passing the LPT is a requirement to receive a
          standard or advanced studies diploma, and who fail
          back into a class which has the verified credit
          graduation requirements will be held to the LPT 
          requirements, not the new verified credit
          requirements.  Therefore, it is possible that the
          graduating Class of 2004 will have a few of these
          "failed back" students who will fall under the LPT
          graduation requirement in it, but the vast majority
          will fall under the new verified credit graduation
          requirements. 

3.        Which students were administered the LPT in
          February?

          In February, all students in grades 6 and students
          in grades 7-12 who has not passed one or more tests
          on the LPT were tested.

4.        Does the phase out of the LPT affect the provision
          of remediation for failure of the LPT?

          While the test results for those students in grade
          six in 1997-98 is for informational purposes and not
          required for graduation, the results of the LPT
          provides important information regarding student
          performance and should not be overlooked as students
          are considered for remedial and summer programs. 
          Note: Students who have not passed portions of the
          LPT may be required to attend remedial programs, to
          include summer school in accordance with
          22.1-254.13:1 C. of the Code of Virginia.

5.        How will the phase out of the LPT affect the summer
          administration of the LPT?

          The summer LPT administration will be conducted as
          scheduled the week of July 20-24, 1998, with the
          writing test administered on July 23.  The phase out
          of the LPT does change which students may
          participate in the summer administration.  Students
          who will be eighth grade or above at the beginning
          of the 1998-99 school year are eligible to
          participate in the summer 1998 LPT administration. 
          Students who will be grade 7 in 1998-99 or who have
          been retained in grade 6 should not be tested as
          they no longer fall under the LPT graduation
          requirement.

6.        Where should score reports be filed?

          Score reports for all students should be filed as
          part of the student's scholastic record, as in
          previous years.

7.        How do we order test materials?

          Data Recognition Corporation, the contractor for the
          LPT, will be sending you information about ordering
          test materials for the summer administration
          shortly.

If you have questions regarding the impact the phase out of
the LPT has on summer administration, please call the Division
of Assessment and Reporting at (804) 225-2102.


PDS/jc