ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Saturday, August 10, 1996 TAG: 9608120047
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: C-3 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: JOEL TURNER
The state Board of Education has scheduled seven public hearings across Virginia in the next two weeks to receive comments on the state's school accreditation standards, which are being revised.
The current standards focus on instructional programs, staffing, graduation requirements, buildings, library services and other facilities.
The board is considering revising the standards to put more emphasis on student achievement and other criteria that parents, employers and the public consider important in judging the quality of schools.
All public schools must meet the standards. The board is responsible for establishing the standards and reviewing each school's compliance every two years.
Michelle Easton, president of the board, said the accreditation standards will be revised now that the state has adopted new academic standards and a new testing program is being developed.
"We want to recast our accrediting standards to focus on what is really important to all of us," Easton said.
One hearing will be at Carroll County High School in Hillsville at 7:30 Thursday night. Another will be at Harrisonburg High School in Harrisonburg at 7 p.m. on Aug.21.
The other hearings will be in Richmond, Virginia Beach, Manassas, Onley and Charlotte Court House.
Based on comments at the hearings and other information, the board will propose revisions to the current standards. The board has announced its intent to hold additional public hearings before final adoption of the revised standards.
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