THANK YOU for subscribing to our policy updates.
Our goal is to keep you informed about issues and actions in state
and federal education policy that relate to VASCD's mission.

Thank you to our Partners:
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 Teachers for Virginia's Students: We must elevate the profession and professionals through "autonomy with integrity"
  • Modernizing Virginia's Assessment System: Virginia's student assessment system should support and align with today's student learning goals.
  • Personalized Learning Opportunities for Educators: Educators need relevant, competency-based professional learning opportunities

For an electronic copy of our brochure, click HERE.
VASCD Assessment Summit
July 19 in Williamsburg - FREE!
VASCD is hosting an Assessment Summit in Virginia. We will bring as many as 200 teachers, leaders, parents, students, legislators, and policymakers together to achieve three goals:
  • Develop and extend the capacity of VASCD’s Board of Directors and Policy Team around assessment
  • Build a deeper understanding of assessment throughout the Commonwealth, particularly with the participants
  • Create an executive summary report of the summit to provide legislators and policymakers, with a particular focus on assisting with input and recommendations

To register for this FREE summit in Williamsburg on July 19, click HERE.
Budget Update
BUDGET AMENDMENT PROPOSALS
Governor Youngkin proposed 38 budget amendments, and the General Assembly reconvened on Friday, June 17, with two weeks before the June 30 deadline. You can also access the submitted amendments to both HB 30 (35 amendments) and HB 29 (3 amendments).

The Washington Post published THIS ARTICLE on Thursday (June 16), and HERE is a summary from US News published at 9pm on Friday (June 17) and THIS ONE from Virginia Mercury at 10pm on Friday (June 17).


BOARD OF EDUCATION UPDATE
The Virginia Board of Education met on June 15 for its monthly meeting. HERE is the Business Session Agenda for your reference, and below is a summary.

Consent Agenda: The Consent Agenda was adopted, consisting of

Final Review to Certify a List of Qualified Persons for the Office of Division Superintendent of Schools: The names of individuals in Appendix A have been approved for a Division Superintendent License (Item D).

Final Review of Exempt Action to update 8VAC20-490-30 length of School Day Requirement: To comply with Chapter 582, the Board will need to make minor changes to change the length of school day requirements or local school boards. Board approved Item E.

Final Review of Exempt Action to update 8VAC20-23-100 with Chapter 546 of the 2022 Acts of Assembly: To align with Virginia Code § 22.1-298.1, the Board must amend 8VAC20-23-100. Board approved Item F.

Final Review of Recommended Cut Scores for the New Virginia Alternative Assessment (VAAP) Tests in Mathematics, Reading, and Science: The Superintendent of Public Instruction recommended that the Board waive first review and approve scaled scores of at least 740 for pass/proficient and at least 780 for pass/advanced for the grades 3-8 and high school VAAP tests in reading and mathematics and for the grades 5, 8, and high school science tests. Board approved Item G.

First Review of a Proposal to Adopt Special Provisions Regarding Accreditation Indicators: Presentation. Board accepted first review of Item H.

First Review of a Revisions to the Board's Guidelines for the Use of Computer Science Courses to Satisfy Graduation Requirements: The request aligns with Priority 1 of the Board's Comprehensive Plan to provide high-quality effective learning environments for all students. Board accepted first review of Item I.

First Review of Updates to the Board-Approved Courses to Satisfy Graduation Requirements for the Standard, Advanced Studies, and Modified Standard Diplomas in Virginia Public Schools: Proposed changes include-
  • updating the title of the document and removing content that reflects the section(s) regarding the Modified Standard diploma that were effective for students with disabilities who entered the ninth grade prior to 2013-2014 and have since aged out; 
  • updating School Courses for the Exchange of Data (SCED) codes used to identify courses in which students are enrolled; 
  • adding courses to allow school divisions to award students course credit to satisfy graduation requirements;
  • adding a section that addresses awarding of credit in the area of English, based on frequently asked questions by school divisions;
  • clarifying and updating language regarding state/federal testing and state graduation requirements; deleting unnecessary or outdated content; and
  • improving accuracy, readability, and consistency in formatting. 
Board accepted first review of Item J.

First Review of the Revision of the Career and Technical High-Quality Work-Based Learning (HQWBL) Guide: Board waived first review and approved final review of Item K. (Also, see Attachment A and Attachment B of Item K)

First Review of the Proposed 2022 Physical Education Standards of Learning Curriculum Framework: Board accepted first review of Item L.

First Review of Guidelines for Policies on Sudden Cardiac Arrest prevention in Student Athletes: The goals of Senate Bill 463 are to ensure that student-athletes who may be experiencing SCA are properly identified, removed from activity immediately, and not allowed to return to play until evaluated by an appropriate licensed health care provider familiar with evidence-based best practices for diagnosing and treating various forms of heart disease and individualizing care. The proposed Guidelines for Policies on Sudden Cardiac Arrest Prevention in Student-Athletes were developed in consultation with clinicians with subspecialties in pediatric sports medicine, pediatric cardiology, interventional cardiology, emergency medicine, family medicine, and other stakeholders affiliated with the Virginia Chapter American Academy of Pediatrics, Virginia College of Emergency Physicians, Virginia Athletic Trainers' Association, Virginia Association of School Nurses, Virginia Association for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance, American Medical Society for Sports Medicine, Virginia Association of Clinical Nurse Specialists, Children's Hospital of the King's Daughters; Virginia Commonwealth University School of Medicine, Virginia High School League Sports Medicine Advisory Committee, the American Board of Family Medicine, Virginia Department of Health, and the Virginia School Board Association. 
Board accepted first review of Item M.

First Review of Revisions to the Licensure Regulations for School Personnel to Establish an Economics and Personal Finance Add-on Endorsement (final stage): The regulatory action (standard procedure) is to establish an add-on endorsement to teach economics and personal finance. Board waived first review and approved final review of Item N.

First Review of Revisions to the Regulations Governing the Review and Approval of Education Programs in Virginia to Establish Dual Language and Economics and Personal Finance Endorsements (final stage): The regulatory action (standard procedure) is to establish new and add-on endorsements in Dual Language (English) preK-6 and Dual Language (Target) preK-6, as well as corresponding professional studies requirements. Board waived first review and approved final review of Item P.

First Review of the Revisions to the Licensure Regulations for School Personnel and Regulations Governing the Review and Approval of Education Programs in Virginia to Comport with Federal Guidelines Related to Accredited Institutions of Higher Education (fast-track): Board waived first review and approved final review of Item Q.

Item R: Annual Report and Presentation from the State Special Education Advisory Committee

Item S: Update on the Commonwealth of Virginia's Critical Shortage Teacher Endorsement Areas for the 2022-2023 School Year.

Superintendent's Update Memo: Board members provided feedback regarding Our Commitment to Virginians: High Expectations and Excellence for All Students and questioned aspects of the report including the data used to arrive at its conclusions and expressed concern over findings included in the report.

Reaction to Report from Virginia Mercury
Shortly after midnight on Thursday, June 16, Virginia Mercury published THIS ARTICLE reporting on VBOE's reaction to Our Commitment to Virginians: High Expectations and Excellence for All Students.
For information about our Assessment Summit on July 19, click HERE and register for FREE! We are inviting teachers, school and division leaders, legislators, and Virginia's education leaders.
If you know someone who might like to be added to our Policy Priorities mailing list, forward this message and ask that they sign up HERE.
Virginia ASCD is a non-partisan, non-political organization.
Like you, we are interested in policy decisions that affect teaching and learning in Virginia.