DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
P.O.
SUPTS. MEMO NO. 287
November 21, 2008
INFORMATIONAL
|
TO: |
Division
Superintendents |
|
FROM: |
Patricia I.
Wright Superintendent
of Public Instruction |
|
SUBJECT: |
Nominations
for the 2009 Bias/Sensitivity Review Committees |
The Office of Assessment Development is
accepting nominations for the 2009 Bias/Sensitivity Review Committees. Fifteen members are needed for each of the
four EOC content areas: English, mathematics, science, and history/social
science. The bias/sensitivity committee
members review test items for stereotypical content or terms that might be
offensive to any gender, ethnic, religious, political, age, or socio-economic
group. The schedule for these committees is as
follows:
English July 27-30
Mathematics July 27-28
History/Social Science July 27-28
Science July 27-28
Each school principal will be mailed a
recruitment poster. We ask that the recruitment poster be displayed prominently
in the school building. School divisions
are encouraged to nominate one or more representatives for each
bias/sensitivity committee.
Bias/sensitivity committee
members will be chosen based on the following criteria:
in-depth knowledge of the
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 2009 Bias/Sensitivity
Review will be expected to:
sign a Non-Disclosure/Conflict
of Interest Agreement;
participate
in the committee meetings scheduled by the Virginia Department of Education;
examine
test items for stereotyping regarding gender, ethnic,
religious, political, age, or socio-economic group;
determine if test items are fair to all students who
have taken a particular course in Virginia schools, regardless of the student's
gender, ethnicity, religion, or socio-economic status; and
review data to determine if students of different
groups perform differently and identify possible reasons for differential
performance.
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 meeting; and
certificate for
recertification points (pending local approval).
All individuals who wish to
serve on the 2009 bias/sensitivity review committees, including those who have
previously served, must complete the Web-based application. The
Web-based application process requires a professional reference and approval
from the division superintendent or designee. Procedures for submitting the
Web-based application are available at
https://p1pe.doe.virginia.gov/acaps/. Completed
applications are due to the Virginia Department of Education through the
Web-based submission process by January 30, 2009.
If you have questions, please
contact the Office of Assessment Development at Student_Assessment@doe.virginia.gov
or by phone at (804) 225-2918.
Your continued support of this
effort is greatly appreciated.
PIW/SLR/cd