OEI

Consistent with the Constitution of Virginia, "it is desirable for the intellectual, cultural, and occupational development of the people of the Commonwealth . . . . to ensure that an educational program of high quality is established and continually maintained for all students throughout the Commonwealth," the statewide Opportunity Educational Institution (OEI) provides a high quality education for children attending any failing public elementary or secondary school.

Created through legislation in 2013, the OEI is uniquely positioned to turnaround failing schools and provide all students the opportunity they deserve. 
 

While this model is new to Virginia, it is proven nationally. States like Louisiana and Tennessee have created Recovery and Achievement districts and the results are positive.

 

FAQ:

 

What does accreditation mean?
State Accreditation ratings, as outlined in the Virginia Board of Education’s Regulations Establishing Standards for Accrediting Public Schools in Virginia (SOA), are reported by school. A school’s state accreditation rating reflects overall achievement in English, history/social science, mathematics and science. Schools in which students meet or exceed achievement objectives established by the Virginia Board of Education in these four content areas are rated as “fully accredited.”

What does an OEI-eligible school look like?
A school eligible for the OEI could present English pass rates for grades 6 through 12 below 70 percent; 82 or below percentage index points on the Board of Education’s graduation and completion index; and a variety of other poor performance indicators. Please note: A school is rated “Accreditation Denied” if it fails to meet the requirements for full accreditation for four consecutive years.

If a school is rated “Accreditation Denied” what is the current strategy for turnaround?
The local school board – within 45 days of receiving notice of the status – must submit to the Board of Education the proposed corrective action plan. The Board of Education will consider the proposal and develop a memorandum of understanding with the local school board, which must be implemented by November 1. The local school board must submit status reports detailing the implementation of actions prescribed in the memorandum of understanding; and the principal, division superintendent and local school board chairman may be requested to appear before the Board of Education to present status reports. 
 

What triggers transfer to the OEI?
The standard for transfer to the OEI is VERY high. For a school to be “denied accreditation” it must have failed to achieve full accreditation for at least four years or more. This means the school has already been failing. This is not a situation in which a school faced one tough year and faces transfer to the OEI; this is repeated chances, signs of warning and additional resources, with no results.

What other states provide authority for state control of schools?
# 1 Maryland, # 2 Massachusetts, to #19 Michigan, #21 Tennessee and #23 Louisiana – from the top performing states in the country to the bottom, and everywhere in between. Failing schools across the nation have several common denominators and research proves that state leadership can help improve turnaround success. (Source: 2012 Education Week Quality Counts Survey).
 

When does a school return to local supervision?
Each school under the supervision of the Opportunity Educational Institution shall be eligible to return to the local school division upon achieving full accreditation. The intention and structure of the OEI is not to indefinitely run failing schools. The Board is charged, within a five year period, to turnaround the failing school, and develops a strategy to return the school to local control.

Should we not just give the schools more time and more resources?
Schools that are denied accreditation have already been provided countless opportunities and milestones to show progress. Schools that are ‘Accredited with Warning’ or ‘Provisionally Accredited’ are already considered to have been failing.