Current through Register Vol. 40, No. 16, March 25, 2024
A. Any local school board may apply to the
board for the local school division to be designated as an SDI.
B. Pursuant to a plan of innovation, an SDI
shall be exempted from selected regulatory provisions and permitted to adopt
alternative policies for school administrators, teachers, and staff to meet the
diverse needs of students.
C. An
application for an SDI designation shall consist of a plan of innovation for
the local school division, following a format prescribed by the Superintendent
of Public Instruction. The plan of innovation shall include:
1. Goals and performance targets that may
include:
a. Reducing achievement and
opportunity gaps among groups of public school students by expanding the range
of engaging and relevant learning experiences for students who are identified
as academically low-achieving;
b.
Increasing student learning through the implementation of high, rigorous
standards for student performance and balanced assessments that measure both
student growth and achievement;
c.
Creating opportunities for students to demonstrate mastery of learning at
different points in the learning process based on readiness;
d. Increasing student participation in
opportunities that enhance students' preparation for college, career, and
citizenship;
e. Increasing the
number of students who are college, career, and citizenship ready;
f. Increasing opportunities for students to
learn from content experts through integrated course opportunities;
or
g. Motivating students at all
levels by offering additional curricular choices, personalized learning
opportunities, and relevant student learning experiences such as community
service projects, internship opportunities, and job shadowing;
2. Divisionwide and school-level
policies that will lead students to be better prepared for success in work and
life;
3. A description of the ways
in which designated schools will incorporate innovative practices;
4. A description of how schools in the
division will benefit from innovative practices and share experiences and
practices for application in other schools;
5. The incorporation of relevant professional
development;
6. Evidence of
collaboration, support, and shared leadership among teachers in the school
division;
7. Evidence of the
support and engagement of educators, parents, the local community, and the
local business community in the development of the plan of innovation and of
the capacity of such individuals and entities to support the implementation of
innovation;
8. Any requests for
exemptions from regulatory provisions as provided in 8VAC20-760-30, including
the rationale for such exemptions and alternative policies; and
9. Specific measures of student success that
may include alternate assessments or approved substitute tests that will be
used to determine if students have met graduation requirements, as
applicable.
D.
Applications for SDI designation shall conform to a format and timeline
prescribed by the Superintendent of Public Instruction. The timeline shall
include deadlines for (i) a preapplication conference to be held with staff if
any exemptions are requested and (ii) submission for consideration by the
board.
Statutory Authority: §
22.1-16
of the Code of Virginia.
