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Virginia Board affirms 2025–26 as preparation year and outlines phased plan to raise cut scores, add history to accountability
Summary
The Virginia Board of Education voted to make 2025–26 a preparation year while staff refines a phased plan to raise math and reading cut scores, add a history indicator to the accountability index, expand performance-based assessment options under HB 19 57 and coordinate with the U.S. Department of Education on data requirements.
The Virginia Board of Education on Nov. 13 voted to designate the 2025–26 school year a preparation year, pausing implementation of higher cut scores for spring assessments while the Department of Education develops supports and data processes for a multi-year phase-in.
Board members heard an extended presentation from department staff about proposed changes to the consolidated ESSA state plan, including adding a history indicator to the accountability framework, introducing an interim “approaching” performance level during the phase-in, and incorporating integrated reading and writing (IRW) and other performance-based assessments into future calculations. Mark Jennings, presenting for the department, said the department will follow HB 19 57’s statutory criteria when building rubrics and scoring protocols for permissive local alternative assessments (PLAA).
Why it matters: staff and educators told the board the changes are intended to raise expectations and better…
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