The A-F Grading System for identifying school success is still alive in the General Assembly, but as the session end comes near the passage of the bill is looking dimmer.
In an article from the Capital News Sevice written by Chris Saurez that was carried in the Rappahannock Times (RappNews.com) on February 24, the current position of two pieces of legislation for A-F school grades details their differences and also most importantl, the need for a delay for implementation.
Senator John Miller, D-Newport News, is the author of Senate Bill 324 which would, among other issues, delay implementaing the new grading system by three years. In his legislation, the criteria for a school grade would be comprised of multiple variables including experience and qualifications, per pupil funding, and percentage of students eligible for free or reduced lunch. A second piece of legislation, HB 1229, which is still active proposed by Steve Landes, R-Verona, is based on SOA, state and federal accountability and student growth indicators. Landes contends that his bill is less “complex” than Miller’s legislation.
Either wa, a delay in the school grading system is necessary and advocated by professional education associations across the commonwealth. As of this date, the General Assembly will adjourn in twelve days and the disposition of the A-F legislation will be voted upon, and hopefully put on hold.
You may access the newspaper article at: http://www.rappnews.com/2014/02/24/ga-delaying-individual-school-grading-system/127963/
