MEMO NO. 201

COMMONWEALTH OF VIRGINIA
DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION

P.O. BOX 2120

RICHMOND, VIRGINIA 23218-2120

SUPTS. MEMO NO. 201
October 1, 2004

INFORMATIONAL

TO:          Division Superintendents

FROM:      Jo Lynne DeMary
               Superintendent of Public Instruction

SUBJECT:  Approved Calculators for Middle-Level 
               Mathematics Standards of Learning Assessments

The Department of Education has approved the Casio fx-260 Solar School Calculator for use on the grades 6 and 7 mathematics Standards of Learning assessments. This calculator, along with the TI-30Xa Solar School Edition and the Sharp EL-501V will be allowed for students participating in the field test of the grades 6 and 7 assessments in 2004-05. For the grade 8 cumulative assessment, which will continue to be given in 2004-05, only the four-function calculator can be used. The approved scientific calculators will be allowed on the grade eight assessment beginning in 2005-06.

If you have any questions about the assessments, please contact Marcia Perry, Ph.D. (mperry@mail.vak12ed.edu), assessment specialist, Division of Assessment and Reporting at (804) 225-2102. If you have any questions about the calculators, please contact Lois Williams, Ed.D. (lwillia1@mail.vak12ed.edu), mathematics specialist, Office of Middle Instructional Services, at (804) 786-8078.