The Virginia Board of Education accepted for first review a revised implementation guide that defines and certifies six types of “high-quality” work-based learning (WBL) experiences for Career and Technical Education (CTE) and for the state’s 3E readiness measures.

The guide, presented by Dr. Williams of the Office of Career and Technical Education, condenses previous guidance into a shorter implementation guide and sets criteria for experiences including clinical experiences, entrepreneurship projects, internships, registered apprenticeships, school-based enterprises and select agricultural immersion experiences. VDOE staff said each certified experience must meet a checklist of criteria, including an authentic worksite, alignment to a high‑demand field (as identified by the Virginia Office of Education Economics), documented supervision/mentoring by an industry professional and a minimum of 90 hours of sustained engagement.

At issue during the board discussion was whether the guide’s language should require students to earn an industry-recognized credential, national certificate of completion, or postsecondary credit as part of the WBL experience, or whether the criterion should state that each experience provide students an opportunity to earn such credentials.

Doctor Northern pressed for clarity on how the WBL checklist interacts with the 3E readiness scores and graduation-credit pathways. Dr. Williams explained that the 3E readiness rule adopted in February awards 0.5 points for high-quality WBL and that the department intends the guide to ensure program quality and pathway opportunities; staff and some board members agreed that making credential attainment an opportunity rather than an absolute requirement better aligns the guide with the department’s goals and with practical implementation across divisions.

Board members asked for clearer wording and for more student-level versus school-level distinctions: department staff confirmed the metric for earning the 0.5 points will be documented at the student level (for each student who completes the checklist criteria) while also asking divisions to certify the high‑quality nature of experiences at the program level.

VDOE staff said the guide will include an online certification form where divisions submit evidence aligned to the checklist. Staff also noted the department’s plan to host a toolkit and toolkit web page linking forms, safety/labor law guidance, FERPA considerations, and templates for supervision and mentorship documentation.

Next steps: VDOE staff will make the requested edits (including the “opportunity vs. must earn” clarification), incorporate stakeholder feedback and return the guide for final review in August. The guide is slated to take effect for the 2025–26 school year once finalized.

Key clarifying points captured at the meeting
- Minimum documented duration for a certified WBL experience: 90 hours.
- 3E readiness award for high-quality WBL as discussed: 0.5 points (per current 3E framework); additional student-level measures can capture credential attainment.
- Evidence and certification will be submitted by divisions through an online checklist and will be reviewed by the Office of Career and Technical Education.

Speakers and attribution: Quotes and attributions in this article come only from board members and staff who presented during the agenda item: Doctor Williams (VDOE), Doctor Northern (board), Mister Monk (board), and other members who asked clarifying questions. No additional claims beyond meeting remarks are reported.