Agency 20. State Board of Education [Details]

• Library: Virginia Administrative Code
• Edition: 2023
• Currency: Current through Register Vol. 40, No. 9, December 18, 2023
• Year: 2023

AGENCY SUMMARY

The Board of Education is a constitutional body vested with general supervision of the public school system. The Constitution and the Code of Virginia give the board certain powers and duties.

Article VIII, Section 2 of the Constitution vests the Board of Education with the authority to prescribe standards of quality for the public schools, subject to revision by the General Assembly.

Article VIII, Section 4 of the Constitution establishes the Board of Education and imposes a number of functions upon the board. The Department of Education provides the staff and other resources to implement the constitutional and statutory requirements placed on the Board of Education. This section also vests the board of with the general supervision of the public school system.

Article VIII, Section 5 provides for the powers and duties of the Board of Education. Among the powers and duties prescribed, the board has power, subject to criteria and conditions prescribed by the General Assembly, to divide the Commonwealth into school divisions; to make annual reports to the Governor and General Assembly concerning the condition and needs of public education; to identify school divisions that have failed to meet the standards of quality; to prescribe qualifications of division superintendents; and to approve textbooks and other instructional materials for use in courses in the public schools.

Article VIII, Section 8 of the Constitution of Virginia vests the Board of Education with the responsibility for administering the Literary Fund.

Additionally, Article VIII, Section 6 of the Constitution establishes the position of Superintendent of Public Instruction. The position of Superintendent of Public Instruction works with the Board of Education, and serves as the director of the Department of Education.

The Code of Virginia further defines the roles and responsibilities of the Board of Education and Superintendent of Public Instruction based upon those foundations created in the Constitution.

Title 22.1, Chapter 1 provides that there be a system of free public elementary and secondary schools established and administered by the Board of Education, the Superintendent of Public Instruction, division superintendents and school boards. Chapter 1 also authorizes the board to approve fees or charges levied on pupils.

Title 22.1, Chapter 2 provides that the general...