Board reviews three VSBA legislative proposals on assessments, absenteeism and virtual course access
Summary
At the VSBA delegate assembly briefing, the board signaled support for a one‑year implementation delay for major state policy changes, weighed removing chronic absenteeism from accountability calculations, and supported increasing the free enrollment cap for Virtual Virginia to expand student access to courses.
Board members reviewed three proposed legislative positions to be discussed at the Virginia School Boards Association delegate assembly and generally supported the division delegate speaking for the district.
Speaker 4 said the first proposal would amend the VSBA platform to ask that school divisions receive at least one full academic year to prepare for major changes affecting curriculum, instruction, assessment, or accountability systems. Several board members cited recent shifts in cut scores and changing accountability rules as reasons to allow schools more time to implement policy changes.
The second proposal would remove chronic absenteeism as an indicator in accountability and accreditation models. Speaker 1 noted New Kent currently performs well on absenteeism and said the division would continue attendance work regardless of its status in the accountability model. Some board members worried removing the indicator would shift weight into other categories while others said chronic absenteeism may be driven largely by factors outside school control and asked legislators or health and social‑service agencies to address underlying causes.
The third proposal would raise the no‑cost enrollment cap for Virtual Virginia so divisions can enroll additional students — for example, for advanced placement or dual‑enrollment courses not available locally — without localities bearing the cost when a state cap is reached. Board members described differences between the state Virtual Virginia program and private providers and supported expanding access so students can take courses the division does not offer.
Speaker 4 will represent the board at the VSBA delegate assembly and said delegates may vote to approve the three proposals as a block or take them individually.
