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Votes at a glance: Board approves loans, SLIFE graduation policy, work-based learning criteria and other items
Summary
The Board waived first review and took final actions on multiple consent and action items, including two Literary Fund loans, a change in how SLIFE students are counted for graduation rates, adoption of high-quality work-based learning criteria, and revisions to national board certification award guidelines.
At its meeting the Virginia Board of Education took votes on multiple items, largely by voice vote, waiving first review where noted and approving final actions on several items. Key outcomes:
- School-connected overdose guidelines (Item G): Approved on final review after replacing contested Loudoun-specific sentences (see separate article).
- Counting of SLIFE students in on-time graduation and dropout rates (Item H): The board adopted a policy required by the 2024 General Assembly that excludes students with limited or interrupted formal education (SLIFE) from the on-time graduation and dropout denominator if they have attended fewer than two semesters of high school. Motion to waive first review and approve passed unanimously.
- Literary Fund loans (Item I): The board approved release of two Literary Fund construction loans submitted by school divisions: Giles County requested $650,000 for a secure entry and elevator refurbishment at Narrows Elementary (30-year term, 2% interest); Roanoke County requested $25,000,000 for a career-technical education center at the Dana Burton Center for Arts & Technology (20-year term, 3% interest). Both loans were approved on a motion to waive first review.
- National board certification incentive awards (Item J): The board revised the guidelines for distributing incentive awards and approved the revisions on final review. Staff said available funds exceeded initial projections and included a plan for prioritizing initial and continuing awards.
- Mastery-level standard-setting committee selection process (Item K): The board approved the committee selection process for standard-setting work (committee composition, selection rubric and training elements) on a motion to waive first review. This action is procedural; the board separately considered the standard-setting method and data timing on first review.
- Guidance documents removal and periodic reviews (Items L and M): The board approved removing two guidance documents from town-hall posting and closed periodic reviews on several regulatory chapters with modest edits recommended for future regulatory actions.
- High-quality work-based learning definition and evaluation criteria (Item N): Adopted on final review. The document includes a definition of high-quality work-based learning experiences, required elements and evaluation criteria for program approval.
- Seat time flexibility notice (Item O) and other items (Q–S): The board received seat time flexibility for first review and accepted first reviews of literacy intervention guides and an expanded list of math instructional materials; these go to public comment or return for final review at a later meeting.
Most motions were unanimous or voice votes recorded as aye by board members; exceptions and close votes are noted above. The board generally waived first review and adopted items where the department recommended final action.
Items approved at this meeting will be implemented by VDOE staff and brought to the board for follow-up reporting as required by each item.
