COMMONWEALTH of VIRGINIA
Department of Education
May 7, 2010
TO: Division Superintendents
FROM: Patricia I. Wright, Superintendent of Public Instruction
The Board of Education adopted revisions to its Regulations Establishing Standards for Accrediting Public Schools in Virginia, which became effective July 31, 2009. The majority of the revisions to these regulations were to be implemented beginning with the 2010-2011 school year. Because of legislation passed by the 2010 General Assembly (HB111, HB196, and SB352), the implementation of most of the provisions has been delayed until the 2011-2012 school year. However, please note that the use of the Graduation and Completion Index in the calculation of accreditation ratings does not have a delayed implementation date, and will be used in the calculation of ratings for the 2011-2012 school year based on data from the 2010-2011 school year.
Delayed Provisions
The regulatory changes included revisions in high school graduation requirements and a new Academic and Career Plan for middle schools. The following elements, which would have been effective beginning in the 2010-2011 academic year, will now become effective beginning in the 2011-2012 academic year:
Consequently, the graduation requirements currently in effect for the 2009-2010 will remain in effect until the beginning of the 2011-2012 academic year.
Provisions Currently in Effect
The following requirements became effective on July 31, 2009, and remain in effect:
Please refer to superintendent’s memorandum #292-09 (http://www.doe.virginia.gov/administrators/superintendents_memos/2009/292-09.shtml), issued on October 16, 2009, for additional information on these changes.
The list of courses approved by the Board to satisfy graduation requirements for students entering the ninth grade in 2010-2011 continues to remain in effect. For more information on these approved courses, please see: http://www.doe.virginia.gov/administrators/superintendents_memos/2009/170-09.shtml.
Calculation of Accreditation Ratings
The legislation passed by the 2010 General Assembly also affected the calculation of accreditation ratings:
Within the next few months, the Board of Education will begin the process of revising all of the language in the regulations to comport to the legislative mandates from the 2010 General Assembly. Information on the Regulations Establishing Standards for Accrediting Public Schools in Virginia can be found at: http://www.doe.virginia.gov/boe/accreditation/index.shtml. Please check this website frequently for updated information.
If you have questions or need assistance, please contact the Office of Policy at (804) 225-2092 or you may send your questions or comments by e-mail to policy@doe.virginia.gov.
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