[HenleyMatters] ACPS News Release

[Hashisaki]

School Board to Review 2007-08 Calendar,
Phase 2 of High School Program of Studies Recommendations

( ALBEMARLE COUNTY , Virginia ) – Albemarle County ’s School Board  
will review a proposal for the 2007-08 school year calendar and  
receive the superintendent’s recommendations regarding the High  
School Program of Studies during its February 8 meeting. The School  
Board will vote on the two items at its February 22 meeting.

On Thursday, the School Board will receive Superintendent Pamela R.  
Moran’s recommendations on changes to the 2007-08 High School Program  
of Studies on the following topics: Grade Point Average (GPA)  
calculation, grading scale, core class levels and exam options.

The Program of Studies has been reviewed by the School Board in two  
phases.  Phase 1 consisted of updates to the list of classes offered  
in secondary schools. Phase 1 was approved by the School Board in  
December 2006.

Phase 2 consists of a series of recommendations from the  
Superintendent after review of the High School Program of Studies  
Committee Report and additional research. Recommendations for Phase 2  
will be presented to the School Board for information and direction,  
and public comment, at the School Board’s February 8 meeting. The  
School Board will vote on Phase 2 recommendations at its February 22  
meeting.

The High School Program of Studies is a document students, parents  
and school staff use to select courses and conduct long-term  
education and career planning for each child. The document includes a  
complete listing of core classes and electives offered at each  
comprehensive high school. It also includes important information on  
a variety of topics ranging from diploma options to athletic  
eligibility to Virginia ’s 16 career pathways. High school counselors  
share the document with students during the course registration process.

The list of course offerings in the High School Program of Studies is  
reviewed and revised annually. This school year, the annual review  
was expanded to also include a look at potential changes in division- 
wide practices in how high schools calculate GPAs, grading scale,  
core class levels and exam options.  Should the Superintendent’s  
recommendations be approved by the School Board, all but the  
recommendation on GPA calculation would take effect in fall 2007. The  
proposed change in GPA calculation, if approved, would take effect in  
fall 2008.

At its February 8 meeting, the School Board also will receive a  
proposal for a 2007-08 school year calendar. The proposal was created  
by a Joint City/County School Division Calendar Committee with input  
from School Division teachers, support staff, and administrators, and  
parents. Public comments collected through the School Division’s  
website also were reviewed.

Dates of note in the 2007-08 proposed calendar include:
August 22: First day of school for students
November 21-23: Thanksgiving Break
December 24 through January 1, 2008: Winter Break
April 7-11, 2008: Spring Break
June 2, 2008: Last day of school for students
End of 9-week Grading Period: October 25, January 11, 2008; March 20,  
2008; and June 2, 2008

Public comment will be heard by the School Board at its February 8  
meeting. The School Board will vote on the calendar at its February  
22 meeting.

The School Board’s February 8 meeting begins at 6:30 p.m. in Lane  
Auditorium in the Albemarle County Office Building at 401 McIntire  
Road in Charlottesville .  Public comment is limited to three minutes  
per person and speakers must sign-up with the Clerk prior to the  
meeting start. The meeting agenda can be viewed on-line at  
www.k12albemarle.org.


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