2011 General Assembly Update - Virginia Association of Secondary ...

Electronic SignaturesThe 2011 General Assembly amended § 22.1-79.3 to allow a local school board to adopt andimplement policies regarding the use of electronic records and signatures. The language reads:Local school boards may adopt and implement policies pursuant to which electronic recordsand electronic signatures may be accepted from any parent, guardian, or other person havingcontrol or charge of a child enrolled in the relevant school division, provided such policies areconsistent with the provisions of Chapter 42.1 (§ 59.1-479 et seq.) of Title 59.1. (Editor’sNote: Principals need to know if their local school board intends to develop a policy regardingelectronic signatures. If so, it will be important to communicate the process for doing so to staff,as well as to parents).Diploma SealsAn amendment to § 22.1-253.13:4 simply clarifies that local school boards may award diplomaseals for all Board of Education approved diplomas: modified standard, standard, standardtechnical, advanced studies, and advanced technical. (Editor’s Note: This is a technicalamendment to make sure that the legislative language matches the changes in the types ofdiplomas offered).Violations Related to Secure Mandatory TestingThe General Assembly amended language to three sections of the Code (§ 22.1-19.1, 22.1-253.13:3, and 22.1-192.1) to add the act of excluding students from testing who are requiredto be assessed to the conditions under which the Board of Education may (i) bring a cause ofaction, (ii) suspend or revoke an administrative or teaching license, or (iii) initiate or cause tobe initiated a review or investigation of any alleged break in security, unauthorized alteration,or improper administration of tests. The bill clarifies that any cause of action brought on behalfof the Board of Education may not be brought against a student enrolled in a public school.(Editor’s Note: The General Assembly wanted to make sure that the law was clear thatstudents who are required to be assessed in the testing program are, in fact, assessed. Failureto do so may have significant consequences).School Board Staffing FlexibilityAmendments to § 22.1-253.13:2 provide local school divisions some flexibility in the use offunds related to staff. Algebra readiness funds may be used to hire math specialists. Fundsdesignated for Prevention, Intervention, and Remediation of English Language Learners (ELL)may be used to hire ELL teachers. Early Reading Intervention funds may be used to employreading specialists. Instructional technology resource teacher funds may be used to employa data coordinator position, an instructional technology resource teacher position, or a datacoordinator/instructional resource teacher blended position. In addition, school divisions thatmeet the assistant principal staffing requirements of the law “may assign assistant principalsto schools within the division according to the area of greatest need, regardless of whethersuch schools are elementary, middle, or secondary.” (Editor’s Note: These amendments wererecommendations from the Virginia Board of Education. The amended legislation continuesto mandate staffing requirements for assistant principals division-wide, but it gives local schooldivisions the flexibility to place those assistant principals in schools with the greatest need.This means that an elementary assistant principal could be assigned to a middle or high schoolif there was a greater need at the secondary school. The reverse would also be true: A highA PUBLICATION OF THE VIRGINIA ASSOCIATION OF SECONDARY SCHOOL PRINCIPALS, INC.Copyright © 2011 by the Virginia Association of Secondary School Principals, Inc. All rights reserved.