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SUPTS. MEMO. NO. 74
May 22, 1998 |
| TO: | Division Superintendents |
| FROM: | Paul D. Stapleton
Superintendent of Public Instruction |
| SUBJECT: | Nominations for Standard Setting Committees - Standards of Learning Testing |
In late summer 1998, standard setting committees of Virginia educators and citizens will be convened to recommend to the Virginia Board of Education cut scores" for each of the Standards of Learning (SOL) assessments at grades 3, 5 and 8 and for certain high school courses. Using data from the spring 1998 administration of the SOL tests, committee members will make recommendations regarding two cut scores for each test: (1) a score that students must attain to be proficient and (2) a score that must be obtained for a student to be considered advanced. The purpose of this memorandum is to solicit nominations from school division superintendents for local educators to serve on these committees. Nominees should be teachers or curriculum specialists with knowledge of the content covered by the test as well as experience with students at the grade level being assessed. A list of committees to be convened and the tests for which they will recommend cut scores is attached. Meetings will be held in late July and early August and will last from three to five days depending on the number of tests assigned to the committee. More specific information on the dates of the meeting will be sent to you shortly. An application form to be completed by the nominee and signed by the division superintendent is attached. Mileage, meals, and lodging will be reimbursed for all participants. Those participants not under contract during the days of the meetings will receive a $50 per day stipend. Selection of committee members will take into consideration geographic distribution, ethnic/racial balance and coverage of the grades/content being considered. Additional nominations will be solicited from school divisions, educational, organizations, institutions of higher learning and the business community. Once the standard setting committees have completed their work, their recommendations regarding cut scores will be provided to the Board of Education who will make a final decision about the minimum score required for the proficient level and for the advanced level. After the Board makes this decision, the SOL score reports from the spring 1998 administration will be re-run showing the scores for students, schools, school divisions, and the state in terms of the achievement levels. SOL tests for future administrations will be statistically equated to the tests on which the cut scores were set so that in future administrations the same level of proficiency will be required for students to be considered proficient and advanced. Questions about nominating educators for the standard setting committees or about the standard setting process in general should be directed to the staff of the Division of Assessment and Reporting at (804) 225-2102. PDS/ch Attachments: A hard copy of this memo and its attachments will be sent to the superintendent's office. ----------------------------------------------------------- Your Name: _____________________________________________ SOL Standard Setting Committees Application for Membership Spring 1998 Part I: Content Area Expertise For which committee are you applying? (Check one) _____ Grade 3: Committee will make recommendations for each of the four tests. If you feel you have particular expertise or experience in one of the four core areas, please note that below: ______ English ______ Science ______ Mathematics ______ Social Science _____ Grade 5: Committee will make recommendations in English (reading, literature, and research only), mathematics, science and social science If you feel you have particular expertise or experience in one of the four core areas, please note that below: ______ English: Reading/Literature/Research ______ Mathematics ______ Science ______ Social Science ______ Computer Technology: Committee will make recommendations for the grade 5 and the grade 8 tests. If you feel you have particular expertise or experience in one grade rather than the other, please note that below: ________ Grade 5 ________ Grade 8 _______ Writing: Committee will make recommendations at grades 5, 8, and high school. If you feel you have particular expertise or experience in one grade rather than the other, please note that below: ________ Grade 5 ________ Grade 8 ________ High School End-of-Course ________ Mathematics: Committee will make recommendation for grade 8 mathematics, Algebra I, Algebra II,and Geometry. If you feel you have particular expertise or experience in one grade rather than the other, please note that below: ______ Grade 8 Mathematics ______ Algebra II ______ Algebra I ______ Geometry ________ Science: Committee will make recommendations for Grade 8 Science, Earth Science, Biology, and Chemistry. If you feel you have particular expertise or experience in one grade rather than the other, please note that below: ______ Grade 8 Science ______ Biology ______ Earth Science ______ Chemistry ________ History: Committee will make recommendations for grade 8 history, World History to 1000 plus World Geography, World History from 1000 to the Present plus World Geography, U. S. History. If you feel you have particular expertise or experience in one grade rather than the other, please note that below: ______ Grade 8 History ______ World History to 1000 plus World Geography ______ World History from 1000 to the Present plus World Geography ______ U. S. History _______ English: Committee will make recommendations for English: Reading, Literature, and Research in grade 8 and high school end-of-course (EOC). If you feel you have particular expertise or experience in one grade rather than the other, please note that below: ______ Grade 8: Reading, Literature, and Research ______ EOC English: Reading, Literature, and Research Part II: Demographic Characteristics Please check each of the following that apply: _____Female _____ American Indian or Alaskan Native _____ Male _____ Asian or Pacific Islander _____ Black (not of Hispanic Origin) _____ Hispanic _____ White (not of Hispanic Origin) I have been a public school teacher for the following number of years: __________________ Part III: Additional Information Please check each of the following that apply: _____ I have experience in the teaching of students with disabilities. Please list disability areas: ____________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________ _____ I have experience in the teaching of limited English proficient students. _____ While I have not had teaching experience, I feel I can make a contribution to this effort in the following way: Name: ______________________________________________________ Summer Mailing Address: ____________________________________ Summer Phone Number: _______________________________________ Approval of Nomination: _________________________ Date: ________ Division Superintendent School Division: ___________________________________________ Return by June 12, 1998 to: Virginia Department of Education Division of Assessment and Reporting P.O. Box 2120 Richmond, VA 23218-2120 Fax: (804) 371-8978