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2004 SESSION

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HB 364 Standards of Learning assessments; awarding of diplomas.

Introduced by: Mitchell Van Yahres | all patrons    ...    notes | add to my profiles

SUMMARY AS INTRODUCED:

Standards of Learning assessments. Provides that the results of any Standards of Learning (SOL) assessments cannot be considered in the awarding of a standard diploma until all public schools in the Commonwealth have achieved full accreditation.

The Standards of Accreditation require the accumulation of a specific number of standard and verified units of credit for standard diplomas, beginning with the ninth grade class of 2001 (graduating class of 2004). The verified unit of credit is awarded upon passage of the relevant SOL test (additional tests approved by the Board of Education), as well as the course (8 VAC 20-131-110 A, B).

During a transition period, beginning with the ninth grade classes of 2001, 2002, and 2003 (graduating classes of 2004-2006), students must earn two verified units of credit in English and four verified units "of the student's own choosing" to obtain a Standard Diploma. For the ninth grade class of 2004 (graduating class of 2007), receipt of a Standard Diploma will require six verified units--two in English, one each in mathematics, science, history, and one in a course of the student's choosing (8 VAC 20-131-50 B).

The Advanced Studies Diploma, which is not affected by this bill, requires nine verified units of credit in various specified courses.

Information released by the Virginia Department of Education on November 10, 2003, indicated that 1,414 (78 percent) of Virginia's 1,823 schools met or exceeded the standard for full accreditation. In the previous year, 65 percent (1,181 schools) met the standard.


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