COMMONWEALTH OF VIRGINIA

DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION

P.O. BOX 2120

RICHMOND, VIRGINIA 23218-2120

SUPTS. MEMO NO. 65

October 11, 2002

ADMINISTRATIVE

TO:	Division Superintendents
FROM:	Jo Lynne DeMary Superintendent of Public Instruction
SUBJECT:	History and Social Science Breakout Test Information and Survey

The 2002 Virginia General Assembly has directed the Virginia Department of Education to begin administration of separate Standards of Learning tests for United States History to 1877, United States History: 1877 to the Present, and Civics and Economics in school year 2003-2004. Planning for implementation of these new tests requires information from school divisions on their current course offerings and test administration.

Attached is an electronic survey requesting information on what history and social science courses and at what grade level your school division currently offers the courses. In addition, information on whether your school division plans to administer the breakout tests for United States History to 1877, United States History: 1877 to the Present and Civics and Economics or continue with the current cumulative Grade 8 test is requested.

Please complete the survey located at http://www.pen.k12.va.us/VDOE/Publications/HISTORY_SOCIAL SCIENCE/datacoll/coll.htm. Right click on the Excel worksheet, choose the option to save the file to your hard drive, complete the survey and save it. Submit it as an e-mail attachment to HSSURVEY@mail.vak12ed.edu by October 30, 2002.

If you have any questions, please contact Colleen C. Bryant (cbryant@mail.vak12ed.edu), history and social science specialist, at (804) 786-4640. Thank you in advance for your assistance.

JLD/CCB