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and federal education policy that relate to VASCD's mission.


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Policy Priorities

The Policy Team of VASCD is committed to elevating teaching and deepening learning through advocacy work as well as strong relationships with legislators and policymakers.


Our three policy priorities are:

  • Outstanding Educators for Virginia's Students: We must elevate the profession and and champion "autonomy with integrity" from policy to the practitioner.
  • Modernizing Virginia's Assessment System: Virginia's student assessment system must support and align with today's student learning goals.
  • Personalized Learning Opportunities for Educators: Educators must have relevant, competency-based professional learning opportunities.


Please access our Policy Priorities Brochure.


You can also access our 2023 General Assembly Priorities.

VASCD's Advocacy Work -

Virginia Board of Education

Our Board of Directors Region IV Representative, Amy Acors, along with our Executive Director, Chris Jones, provided public comment during the February 2 VBOE Meeting. Below is a button linked to the video recording; Chris speaks at 1:33.16, and Amy speaks at 3:48.32.

VBOE Business Meeting Video

Virginia Board of Education Update

The Virginia Board of Education met on February 1 and 2. Below, you will find relevant links along with highlights.


Because the VBOE meetings are long, we find it helpful to change the playback speed to x1.5, x1.75, or even x2.0 (access playback speed by clicking the settings wheel in the video's toolbar). If you simply do not have time to watch any portion of the videos, the PPTs linked below are well worth your time to review (particularly the Considerations for Updating Virginia's School Accountability System).


Work Session


Work Session Highlights

During the work session, the conversations around the January standards for History and Social Science and the Plan/Timeline for Accountability were of great interest to VASCD. First, we have been heavily engaged in the process to move History and Social Science standards forward in Virginia. See DECEMBER COLLABORATIVE DRAFT and RESPONSE TO JANUARY DRAFT.


Business Meeting

  • Agenda (Scroll down the page, there is a new format on the web page)


Business Meeting Highlights

During the public comment period of the Business Meeting, there was an overwhelming number of speakers supporting the December Collaborative Standards we worked on with VSSLC and AHA. Ultimately, the board voted to accept the January standards for First Review by a vote of 5-3. Our team will convene soon to determine next steps for VASCD. Next steps in the process: Public Hearings will be scheduled from March 13-21. Stay tuned for more information about dates and locations.


Timelines for English standards review and Science standards development and revisions were shared by VDOE staff.


During Discussion of Current Issues (LINK, starts at 8:16.50), there was discussion about moving forward with the Accountability System work (see Work Session link above). The board directed the department to report a full range of options available for reforming accountability and accreditation, along with an analysis of what we can and cannot do; and for the department to begin work on what Phase I and Phase II will look like.

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Virginia ASCD is a non-partisan, non-political organization.
Like you, we are interested in policy decisions that affect teaching and learning in Virginia.
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