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2001 SESSION

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SB 1265 School accreditation and pupil performance; multiple criteria.

Introduced by: John S. Edwards | all patrons    ...    notes | add to my profiles

SUMMARY AS INTRODUCED:

School accreditation and pupil performance; multiple criteria. Provides that the results of any Standards of Learning (SOL) assessments cannot be the sole or primary basis for the promotion or retention of students or for the awarding of diplomas. In addition, the Board of Education is to provide, in the Standards of Accreditation (SOA), for the use of multiple criteria in determining school accreditation status. Included among these criteria for school accreditation are consideration of access to high quality curricula and instruction designed to meet diverse needs, abilities, and interests; attendance, dropout, and graduation rates; student reading levels; school safety audits; postsecondary education and employment rates; school and divisionwide demographic factors; school and community resources; and parental involvement levels. In establishing accreditation standards and determining requirements for graduation and student achievement, the Board shall seek the assistance and input of teacher education faculty at the Commonwealth's public institutions of higher education, professional educators, parents, and community members.

The Standards of Accreditation (SOA), as revised in September 2000, provide that schools are to use the SOL test results in kindergarten through eighth grade as part of a set of multiple criteria for determining the promotion or retention of students." (8 VAC 20-131-30 B). The regulations are silent as to promotion/retention policies for grades 9-12, grades in which verified units of credit (earned by passing SOL assessments and successfully completing courses) are required for a diploma. However, the SOA direct division superintendents to "certify to the Department of Education that the division’s promotion/retention policy does not exclude students from membership in a grade, or participation in a course, in which SOL tests are to be administered." (8 VAC-20-131-30 A).

The SOA do not specifically make the awarding of diplomas contingent upon the passage of SOL tests; however, beginning with the ninth grade class of 2003-4, students must earn six verified units of credit from specific courses for a standard diploma. During a transition period for the ninth grade classes of 2000-01, 2001-02, and 2002-03, students must earn six verified units (two in English and four additional units). Beginning with the ninth grade class of 2000-01, students must earn nine verified credits in specific courses to earn an advanced studies diploma. (8 VAC 20-131-50 B, C).

Verified units are earned upon passage of the course and the relevant SOL test. (8 VAC 20-131-110 B).


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