COMMONWEALTH OF VIRGINIA

DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION

P.O. BOX 2120

RICHMOND, VIRGINIA 23218-2120

SUPTS. MEMO NO. 228

November 18, 2005

INFORMATIONAL

TO:	Division Superintendents
FROM:	Jo Lynne DeMary Superintendent of Public Instruction
SUBJECT:	Nominations for the 2006 Standards of Learning Assessments Content Review Committees

The Division of Assessment and Reporting is seeking nominations for membership on the 2006 Standards of Learning (SOL) Assessments Content Review Committees. Fifteen members are needed for each of the 35 content committees. School divisions are encouraged to nominate at least one representative for each content committee. See attached for designated committees and meeting schedule.

The committee selection process permits a partial rotation of membership on an annual basis. This rotation provides an opportunity for more teachers to contribute to the development of the SOL assessments while retaining the experience and knowledge of veteran committee members.

Committee members will be chosen based on the following criteria:

grade-level experience and content area expertise;

in-depth knowledge of the SOL;

instructional/supervisory experience with students of varied learning styles, abilities, and aptitudes, including students with disabilities and students with limited English proficiency; and

balanced regional representation.

Committee members selected for the 2006 SOL Assessments Content Review Committees will be expected to:

serve a one-year term with the option of applying for a second term in 2007;

sign a Non-Disclosure/Conflict of Interest Agreement;

participate in committee meetings scheduled by the Virginia Department of Education;

review the SOL test forms for alignment with the test blueprints;

examine test items to confirm a match with the SOL;

review test items for appropriateness and fairness;

examine field test data for potential test items; and

recommend whether items are to be included in the test item bank.

Committee members will be provided the following:

reimbursement for meals and travel expenses in accordance with state travel policy and guidelines;

lodging;

honorarium of $100 per meeting day for committee members not under contract with a school division at the time of meetings; and

certificate for recertification points (pending local approval).

Individuals may initiate the application process for the 2006 Content Review Committees or be nominated. In either case, all nominees who desire to serve on the 2006 committees must complete a new Web-based application. The Web-based application submission window will be available February 1-28, 2006. All applicants who have previously served on these committees also must complete the Web-based application. The Web-based application process will still require two professional references and approval from the division superintendent. Procedures for submitting the Web-based application will be posted at http://www.doe.virginia.gov/VDOE/Assessment/home.shtml by February 1, 2006.

You are invited to nominate one distinguished educator in your division for each of the 35 committees. Completed applications are due to the Virginia Department of Education via the Web-based process by February 28, 2006.

If you have questions, please contact Ronald Sutton, assessment specialist, Division of Assessment and Reporting, at Ronald.Sutton@doe.virginia.gov or by phone at (804) 225-2913.

Your continued support of this effort is greatly appreciated.

JLD/SLR/jc

Attachment

http://www.doe.virginia.gov/administrators/superintendents_memos/2005/inf228a.pdf