Virginia Law

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.