Virginia Board of Education

News & Announcements
Call for Nominations for Board of Education Advisory Committees - The Virginia Board of Education is seeking nominees to serve a three-year term on advisory committees appointed by the Board. The terms will begin in July 2008 and end in June 2011. For more information see Superintendent's Memo #121.

Vision

The vision of the Board of Education and Superintendent of Public Instruction, in cooperation with their partners, is to create an excellent statewide system of public education that derives strength from our diversity and that ensures equality of opportunity for each student in a safe and healthy learning environment that prepares all students to be capable, responsible, and self-reliant citizens in the global society.

Mission

The mission of the Board of Education and Superintendent of Public Instruction, in cooperation with their partners, is to set education policy and provide leadership that improves the achievement of all students by advocating for effective programs that address individual and diverse learning needs of students, establishes high standards and has high expectations for learning, measures student performance, provides accountability to the public, and promotes a culture of lifelong learning.

The Board of Education serves as the primary advocate for a quality education for all children and youth in the state. The board seeks to promote excellence in the education of all students and is responsible for policies that promote educational quality throughout the state. In this capacity, the board defines the fundamental mission of the state’s education system and develops the system’s long-range goals. In order to meet these goals, the board enacts appropriate regulations, supports local implementation efforts, and regularly measures the performance of the system.

Duties

The main duties of the Board of Education include:

• Setting statewide curriculum standards;
• Establishing high school graduation requirements;
• Determining qualifications for classroom teachers, principals, and other education personnel;
• Establishing state testing and assessment programs;
• Establishing standards for accreditation of local school divisions and preparation programs for teachers and administrators;
• Implementing the No Child Left Behind Act and administering federal assistance programs; and
• Developing rules and regulations for the administration of state programs.

The Board of Education consists of nine members appointed by the Governor, subject to confirmation by the General Assembly. Members are appointed to serve a term of four years. No member shall be appointed to more than two consecutive four-year terms.