Administrative Information

Access Restrictions

There are no restrictions.

Use Restrictions

There are no restrictions.

Preferred Citation

Virginia State Board of Education, Minutes, [cite specific date and accession used]. State government records collection, The Library of Virginia, Richmond, Va. 23219.

Acquisition Information

Transferred on an unknown date from the Virginia State Board of Education [Acc. 31643].

Transferred on 29 April 1983 from the Virginia State Board of Education [Acc. 31755].

Transferred on an unknown date from the Virginia State Board of Education [Acc. 31838].

Transferred on 25 November 1986 from the Virginia State Board of Education [Acc. 32864].

Transferred on 10 February 1989 from the Virginia State Board of Education [Acc. 33407].

Transferred on 15 June 2004 from the Virginia State Board of Education [Acc. 41254].

Transferred on 12 October 2007 from the Virginia State Board of Education [Acc. 43481].

Biographical Information

The development of the Dept. of Education began in 1870 when Dr. William H. Ruffner was elected by the General Assembly to be the first Superintendent of Public Instruction. At the end of its first 50 years, the department had less than 20 staff members. In 1928, the Superintendent was first appointed by the governor. Staff size was expanded to in order to meet the increased need for services including the purchase of textbooks, libraries, and general buildings services. The Commonwealth of Virginia is divided into school divisions, each of which has a school board. Each locality appoints a Division Superintendent using criteria established by the State Board of Education.The mission of Virginia's public education system is to educate students in the fundamental knowledge and academic subjects that they need to become capable, responsible, and self-reliant citizens. The mission of the Virginia Board of Education and the Superintendent of Public Instruction, in cooperation with local school boards, is to increase student learning and academic achievement.

The mission of Virginia's public education system is to educate students in the fundamental knowledge and academic subjects that they need to become capable, responsible, and self-reliant citizens. The mission of the Virginia Board of Education and the Superintendent of Public Instruction, in cooperation with local school boards, is to increase student learning and academic achievement.

The Department of Education has responsibilities in adult education, teacher certification, financial assistance, and administrative and advisory services to school divisions. The Department is operated by a superintendent who is appointed by the governor. The Department's activities are supervised by a Board of Education, which consists of nine members appointed by the Governor. The Board of Education is the governing and policy-making body for the Virginia system of public elementary and secondary education. It focuses on accountability, evaluation, state testing and assessment programs, curriculum, and teacher education. The Superintendent of Public Instruction serves as Secretary of the Board.

Scope and Content

Official minutes, 1870-2003, of the Virginia State Board of Education. Minutes for 1870-1977 are in bound volumes, while later minutes are loose. Minutes not in volume format also include agendas, finances, and supporting documentation used by Board members. Of note are the index cards for the minutes, ca. 1930-1980, in Acc. 31755 [Series II].

Arrangement

This collection is arranged into the following series:

Series I: Minutes, 1870-1970 [Acc. 31643] Series II: Minutes, ca. 1930-1980 [Acc. 31755] Series III: Minutes, 1971-1977 [Acc. 31838] Series IV: Minutes, 1981-1985 [Acc. 32864] Series V: Minutes, 1986-1987 [Acc. 33407] Series VI: Minutes, 1980-1996 [Acc. 41254] Series VII: Minutes, 1998-2002 [Acc. 43481]