Authority: § 22.1-253.13:3, sections C and E, Code of Virginia; P.L. 107-110, Federal Code.

A.1. Out of this appropriation, $47,321,829 the first year and $44,921,829 the second year from the general fund is provided to support the costs of contracts for test development, administration, scoring, and reporting as well as other program-related costs of the Standards of Learning testing program. Of this amount, $21,941,151 the first year and $44,921,829 the second year shall be unallotted. Prior to the allotment of these funds, the Department of Education shall provide an updated report to the Secretary of Education, the Secretary of Finance, and the Department of Planning and Budget on the annual contract cost, and the Department's available general fund and nongeneral fund sources to support those costs. The Department of Education shall maximize available nongeneral funds to support the cost of the existing assessment contract extension through December 31, 2027, and the cost of a new assessment contract. Any balances for the purposes specified in this paragraph and paragraph A.2.b. that are unexpended on June 30, 2027, that are required to meet contract obligations through December 31, 2027, shall not revert to the general fund but shall be reappropriated for expenditure in the next fiscal year for the same purpose. Any general fund not required to meet contract obligations shall remain unallotted.

2. a. Pursuant to Chapter 760, 2022 Acts of the General Assembly, the Department shall include in its annual report a plan to implement a new state assessment system, including a revised timeframe; estimated short- and long-term costs, including the costs to transition to the new system; staffing and training needs; key milestones; and project deliverables.

b. Notwithstanding any contrary provisions of law, the Department is directed and authorized to pursue an extension to the current assessment contracts through December 31, 2027, to allow sufficient time for the Department to complete procurement processes as necessary to select an assessment vendor. Extensions to the existing assessment contracts shall not be subject to the provisions for renewals of high risk contracts.

B. Out of this appropriation, $1,551,416 the first year and $1,551,416 the second year from the general fund is provided for continued computer adaptive test transition and revision.

C. Notwithstanding any contrary provisions of law, the Department of Education shall not be required to administer the Stanford 9 norm-referenced test.

D. Out of this appropriation, $300,000 the first year and $300,000 the second year from the general fund is provided for assessment related materials for a verified credit in high school history and social science. In establishing graduation requirements, the State Board of Education shall require students to earn one verified credit in history and social science. Such verified credit shall be earned by (i) the successful completion of a state-developed end-of-course Standards of Learning assessment; (ii) achievement of a passing score on a Board-approved standardized test administered on a statewide, multistate, or international basis that measures content that incorporates or exceeds the Standards of Learning content in the course for which the verified credit is given; (iii) achievement of criteria for the receipt of a locally awarded verified credit from the local school board in accordance with criteria established in Board guidelines when the student has not passed a corresponding Standards of Learning assessment; or (iv) successful completion of assessments that include state-developed performance tasks scored locally in accordance with Board guidelines using state-developed rubrics.