Board approves VQB5 changes: five‑level ratings and expanded improvement planning for early childhood programs

The Virginia Board of Education voted on June 25 to approve revisions to the Virginia Quality Birth‑Five (VQB5) measurement and improvement guidelines for FY27. Deputy Superintendent Erin Carroll and Chris Meyers said the move from a three‑level to a five‑level rating system will better differentiate the concentration of providers currently clustered in the middle category and allow families and providers clearer distinctions of program quality.

Carroll said staff propose the five tiers — distinguished, exceeds expectations, meets expectations, approaching expectations, and needs support — to provide more actionable guidance for families while allowing the state to focus coaching and technical assistance on programs that are approaching or below expectations. The department also proposed expanding required improvement planning to include programs classified as approaching expectations so supports can be prioritized earlier.

VDOE told the board it completed outreach — 18 engagement events and more than 2,000 webinar views since spring — and expects to privately share what a program’s five‑level rating would have looked like under the new scale before the public release next year. The board approved the guidelines in a roll‑call vote.

Board members praised the VQB5 rollout and urged continued attention to resources and implementation supports. The VDOE said it will finalize the FY27 guidelines and continue preparing providers and technology systems for the transition; the first five‑level public ratings are expected after the 2026–27 observation year.