SB953: Virginia Index of Performance program; Board of Education to encourage achievement in science, etc.

SENATE BILL NO. 953
Offered January 12, 2011
Prefiled January 11, 2011
A BILL to amend and reenact § 22.1-253.13:9 of the Code of Virginia, relating to the Virginia Index of Performance incentive program.
Patron-- Houck

Referred to Committee on Education and Health

Be 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. Virginia Index of Performance incentive 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. The VIP incentive program shall be designed to recognize and reward fully accredited 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 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 annual 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.