Source: http://register.dls.virginia.gov/details.aspx?id=7257
Timestamp: 2020-08-07 01:07:29
Document Index: 562107528

Matched Legal Cases: ['§ 22', '§ 22', '§ 22', '§ 22', '§ 22', '§ 22', '§ 22']

Vol. 35 Iss. 9 (Proposed Regulation) 8VAC20-760, Regulations Governing The Designation Of School Divisions Of Innovation December 24, 2018
Title of Regulation: 8VAC20-760. Regulations Governing the Designation of School Divisions of Innovation (adding 8VAC20-760-10 through 8VAC20-760-50).
January 24, 2019 - 11:30 a.m. - James Monroe Building, 101 North 14th Street, 22nd Floor, Conference Room, Richmond, VA 23219. The public hearing will begin immediately following adjournment of the Board of Education business meeting.
Basis: The Board of Education's overall regulatory authority is in § 22.1-16 of the Code of Virginia. The Board of Education's authority for promulgating regulations governing the designation of School Divisions of Innovation is pursuant to Chapter 760 of the 2017 Acts of Assembly, which adds Article 1.5 (§ 22.1-212.28 et seq.) of Chapter 13 of Title 22.1 of the Code of Virginia, relating to School Divisions of Innovation (SDIs). Article 1.5, which became effective on July 1, 2017, and directs the Board of Education to develop regulations for the designation of SDIs.
Purpose: The purpose of this regulatory action is to establish a procedure for school divisions to be designated as a School Division of Innovation and develop creative alternatives to instructional and administrative practices or school structures to improve student learning and educational performance. Encouraging innovation education practices is advantageous to all citizens in the Commonwealth and promotes public safety, health, and welfare. This action fulfills the General Assembly's directive that regulations be developed for the designation of SDI. These regulations specify the procedure and timeline for SDI designation.
Substance: The proposed regulations govern the designation of SDIs. The proposed regulations establish the procedure and criteria for the designation of an SDI and provide that the Superintendent of Public Instruction establish a format and timelines for local school boards to submit plans of innovation. The proposed regulations prohibit any exemptions from certain requirements, including special education regulations, graduation requirements, and other regulations that are mandated by state or federal law or are designed to promote health or safety. The proposed regulations also include provisions to evaluate the performance of an SDI, including revocation in the event that performance expectations are not met.
Issues: The primary advantage to the public is that the promulgation of these regulations will help provide high-quality, effective learning environments for all students in the Commonwealth by allowing alternative policies to be developed and implemented to address the diverse needs of students. Staff has identified no disadvantage to the public or the Commonwealth of the proposed regulations.
Summary of the Proposed Amendments to Regulation. Pursuant to Chapter 760 of the 2017 Acts of Assembly,1 the Virginia Board of Education (Board) proposes to promulgate a regulation for the designation of School Division of Innovation (SDI).
Estimated Economic Impact. Chapter 760 added Article 1.5: School Divisions of Innovation. Article 1.5 consists of sections numbered § 22.1-212.28 through § 22.1-212.32, relating to SDI. Code of Virginia § 22.1-212.28 defines SDI as:
… a school division in which the local school board has developed and for which the Board has approved pursuant to regulations as set forth in this article a plan of innovation to improve student learning; educational performance; and college, career, and citizenship readiness skills in each school in the local school division.
Code of Virginia § 22.1-212.29 states that:
The Board shall promulgate regulations for the designation of School Divisions of Innovation in which the local school board in the local school division so designated shall, pursuant to a plan of innovation, be exempted from selected regulatory provisions and be permitted to adopt alternative policies for school administrators, teachers, and staff to meet the diverse needs of students.
The designation of SDI is new, but the potential granting of exemption from regulatory provisions at the discretion of the Board is not.
Standards of Quality Standard 3 (§ 22.1-253.13:3.H)2 allows the Board of Education to, at its discretion, waive regulatory requirements upon request from a local school board. The proposed Regulations Governing the Designation of School Divisions of Innovation neither increases nor decreases local school divisions ability to obtain waivers from regulations. The proposed regulation, pursuant to Chapter 760, does create the School Division of Innovation designation. School divisions may find this designation beneficial for communicating with the public and garnering support.
Businesses and Entities Affected. The proposed amendments potentially affect the 132 public school divisions in the Commonwealth.
Costs and Other Effects. The proposed amendments do not significantly affect small businesses.
1See http://leg1.state.va.us/cgi-bin/legp504.exe?171+ful+CHAP0760
2See https://law.lis.virginia.gov/vacode/title22.1/chapter13.2/section22.1-253.13:3/
The proposed regulation establishes the School Division of Innovation (SDI) designation process and timeline, expectations for a plan of innovation, procedures for ongoing evaluation of an SDI, and regulations that may be waived in conjunction with an SDI application.
VA.R. Doc. No. R18-5324; Filed November 27, 2018, 1:56 p.m.