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2019 SESSION
19102084DBe it enacted by the General Assembly of Virginia:
1. That § 22.1-253.13:9 of the Code of Virginia is amended and reenacted as follows:
§ 22.1-253.13:9. Exemplar School Recognition Program.
A. Schools and local school divisions shall be recognized by
the Board of Education in accordance with guidelines it shall establish for the Virginia Index of Performance (VIP) incentive
program Exemplar School Recognition
Program (the Program). The VIP
incentive program Program
shall be designed to recognize and reward fully
accredited (i)
schools and school divisions that make significant
progress toward achieving advanced proficiency levels in reading, mathematics,
science, and history and social science, and on other indicators of school and
student performance that exceed
Board-established requirements or show continuous improvement on academic and
school quality indicators and (ii) schools,
school divisions, and school boards that implement effective, innovative
practices that are aligned with the Commonwealth's goals
for public education. Such recognition may include:
1. Public announcements recognizing individual schools and divisions;
2. Tangible rewards;
3. Waivers of certain board regulations;
4. Exemptions from certain reporting requirements; or
5. Other commendations deemed appropriate to recognize high achievement.
In addition to Board recognition, local school boards shall adopt policies to recognize individual schools through public announcements or media releases as well as other appropriate recognition.
In order to encourage school
divisions to promote student achievement in science, technology, engineering,
and mathematics, the Board of Education shall take into account in its
guidelines a school division's increase in enrollments and elective course offerings
in these areas.
B. A school that maintains a passing rate on Virginia assessment program tests or additional tests approved by the Board of 95 percent or above in each of the four core academic areas for two consecutive years may, upon application to the Department of Education, receive a waiver from accreditation. A school receiving such a waiver shall be fully accredited for a three-year period. However, such school shall continue to annually submit documentation in compliance with the pre-accreditation eligibility requirements.
C. Schools may be eligible
to receive the Governor's Award for Outstanding Achievement. This award will be
given to schools rated fully accredited that significantly increase the
achievement of students within student subgroups in accordance with guidelines
prescribed by the Board of Education.
D. In its guidelines for
calculating an award under the Virginia Index of Performance incentive program
pursuant to this section, the Department of Education shall take into account
the number of high school students who earn the one-year Uniform Certificate of
General Studies or an associate degree from a comprehensive community college
in the Commonwealth concurrent with a high school diploma.
2. That pursuant to the provisions of this act, the Board of Education shall replace the existing Virginia Index of Performance (VIP) incentive program with the Exemplar School Recognition Program.