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2004 SESSION

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CHAPTER 473 An Act to amend and reenact Chapter 577 of the Acts of Assembly of 2002, relating to the award of verified units of credit for standard diplomas by local school boards. [H 1257] Approved April 12, 2004

Be it enacted by the General Assembly of Virginia:

1. That Chapter 577 of the Acts of Assembly of 2002 is amended and reenacted as follows:

§ 1. The provisions of the Standards of Accreditation (8 VAC 20-131-10 et seq.) governing diploma requirements notwithstanding, the Board of Education shall establish guidelines for local school boards to award verified units of credit for standard diplomas to students who have (i) entered the ninth grade for the first time during the school years of 2000-2001, 2001-2002, and 2002-2003; and (ii) passed the relevant coursework. Local school boards shall adopt procedures for the award of verified units of credit for such students based on the Board's guidelines.

Such students shall meet such additional criteria established by the Board for the award of such verified units which may include, but shall not be limited to, performance on Standards of Learning assessments or other tests, including subsequent administrations of such assessments or tests; attendance and conduct requirements; and participation in remediation programs.

The guidelines shall set forth procedures for the award of such verified units by local school boards and shall be applicable only to the award of the four student-selected verified units of credit required for a standard diploma pursuant to the Standards of Accreditation (8 VAC 20-131-50 B). Students shall be required to earn the two verified units of credit in English for a standard diploma as provided in the Standards of Accreditation.

The guidelines issued by the Board shall not be subject to the Administrative Process Act (§ 2.2-4000 et seq.) and shall be applicable to students who have entered the ninth grade for the first time during the school years of 2000-2001, 2001-2002, and 2002-2003.

2. That an emergency exists and this act is in force from its passage.