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2001 SESSION

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HB 2392 School accreditation; SOL scores of certain students.

Introduced by: James H. Dillard II | all patrons    ...    notes | add to my profiles

SUMMARY AS INTRODUCED:

School accreditation; SOL scores of certain students. Provides that scores on Standards of Learning (SOL) assessments of students who (i) have transferred into a school during the school year in which they are required to take the assessment; (ii) have been identified as having limited English proficiency (LEP); or (iii) have been identified as disabled and whose education is subject to an individualized education plan (IEP) may be considered in the determination of the relevant school's accreditation rating only if such inclusion benefits the school's rating. The Board of Education is to include in the Standards of Accreditation (SOA) the terms and conditions under which such scores of these students may be considered in determining the school's accreditation rating.

The SOA now provide that the scores of LEP and transfer students will be used in the calculation of a school’s accreditation rating if it will benefit the school and authorize the Board to alter the inclusions and exclusions from the accountability calculations by providing adequate notice to local school boards (8 VAC 20-131-280 E 8, 9). Students whose IEP provides for their participation in SOL testing are included among "eligible students" whose SOL scores are considered for school accreditation purposes. (8 VAC 20-131-280 C 4).

These regulations, however, also provide that the scores of all students who transfer within a school division shall be counted in the calculation of the school’s accountability (accreditation) rating (8 VAC 20-131-280 E 5). The SOA delineate special consideration for the SOL test scores of other transfer students. The scores of those who (i) transfer into a Virginia school from another Virginia school division, another state, or another country, in grades kindergarten through eight after the 20th instructional day following the opening of school; (ii) transfer into a Virginia middle or high school from another state or country and enroll in a course for which there is an end-of-course SOL test after 20 instructional hours per course have elapsed following the opening of school or beginning of the semester; or (iii) enroll on the first day of school and subsequently transfer to a school outside of the division for a total amount of instructional time equal to or exceeding 50 percent of a current school year or semester, and return during the same school year may be used in calculating the school accreditation rating.

The SOA also detail "tolerances" for LEP, special education, and transfer students in calculating passing rates on SOL assessments. Of these students, LEP students have a one-time exemption in each of the four core areas for SOL tests for grades K-8. The scores of LEP students enrolled in Virginia public schools fewer than 11 semesters may  be removed from the calculation used for school accreditation.


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