Shenandoah County Public Schools fully supports Senate Bill No. 1257 requiring school divisions to obtain a 3:1000 ratio for student support positions. These positions are essential to supporting students' social emotional needs in order for them to be academically successful.  Additionally, the inclusion of a variety of professionals in the bill who would be considered student support positions, provides valuable flexibility to school divisions in order to meet student needs. 

I appreciate the efforts that have gone into developing the information included in the guidance document. I would like to suggest on Page 2, "Board Certified Behavior Analyst®(BCBA®) or Board Certified Assistant Behavior Analyst® (BCaBA®)" be added to the bulleted list of professionals who may be employed or contracted by the school divisions. While I understand the list is not exhaustive, the addition of the Guidelines for the Provision of Behavior Analysis in Public Schools at the end of the document supports the inclusion of these professionals. These professionals are valuable to school divisions and a growing number of school divisions in Virginia do employ or contract with BCBAs or BCaBAs. Having explicit guidance that these professionals are included in the 3:1000 ratio will minimize confusion for school divisions and parents and further support the use of behavior analysts in schools.

 Thank you for VDOE's helpful supporting guidance for Senate Bill 1257.  I am pleased to see the inclusion of "Board Certified Behavior Analyst®(BCBA®) or Board Certified Assistant Behavior Analyst® (BCaBA®)" in the text describing professionals who may be employed or contracted by the school divisions to meet the 3:1000 student support ratio.  I am wondering if it might enhance consistency throughout the document and increase common understanding if BCBA/BCaBAs were included on the bulleted list of professionals on page 2 of the document, as this list may be a common reference point for divisions when making hiring decisions.  If placement on the list is possible, it might make more sense for the paragraph referencing House Bill 1143 to follow, rather than precede the list.  Thank you for your consideration of this feedback.

On Page 2, please consider adding "Board Certified Behavior Analyst®(BCBA®) or Board Certified Assistant Behavior Analyst® (BCaBA®)" to the bulleted list of professionals who may be employed or contracted by the school divisions. While I understand the list is not exhaustive, the addition of the Guidelines for the Provision of Behavior Analysis in Public Schools at the end of the document supports the inclusion of these professionals. These professionals are valuable to school divisions and a growing number of school divisions in Virginia do employ or contract with BCBAs or BCaBAs. Having explicit guidance that these professionals are included in the 3:1000 ratio will minimize confusion for school divisions and parents and further support the use of behavior analysts in schools.

Thank you for VDOE’s helpful supporting guidance for Senate Bill 1257.  I would like to suggest on Page 2, “Board Certified Behavior Analyst®(BCBA®) or Board Certified Assistant Behavior Analyst® (BCaBA®)" be added to the bulleted list of professionals who may be employed or contracted by the school divisions.  It may enhance consistency throughout the document and increase common understanding if BCBAs and BCaBAs were included on this bulleted list.  Having explicit guidance that these professionals are included in the 3:1000 ratio will minimize confusion for school divisions and parents and further support the use of behavior analysts in schools.

Thank you for creating this document to highlight the need for consistent support for our students and schools in order to facilitate the social emotional needs of these stakeholders.  I would like to suggest that adding Board Certified Behavior Analysts and Board Certified Assistant Behavior Analyst be added to the list of support providers.  Thank you.