<p>The Virginia's Standards of Quality (SOQs) provide that each school board must require its members to participate annually in high quality professional development activities at the state, local or national levels on governance. These activities must include, but are not limited to, personnel policies and practices; the evaluation of personnel, curriculum, and instruction; use of data in planning and decision making; and current issues in education.</p><p>Each local board must certify that all its members have met this requirement, as well as all the requirements of the SOQs, in its annual SOQ compliance report which is filed each spring. Given the provision of Va. Code § 22.1-253.13:8 which permits the Board of Education to petition local circuit courts to enforce compliance with the Standards of Quality, it is more important than ever that each local board and individual board members meet all legal requirements, and certify that they have done so, in order to avoid the possibility of judicial involvement in the operation of the local division.</p><p>If you have any questions about the professional development requirement or the certification process, please contact the Virginia Department of Education.</p>		
			