Authority: § 22.1-253.13:3, sections C and E, Code of Virginia; P.L. 107-110, Federal Code.
A. Out of this appropriation, $25,380,678 the first year and $25,380,678 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.
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.1. 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.
2. The Department of Education shall report on the progress of implementing option (iv), including examples of tasks and scoring rubrics; agency support to school divisions for implementation; and information about divisions planning or interested in offering the option to students. Such progress report shall be submitted to the Chairs of the House Appropriations and Senate Finance and Appropriations Committees by November 1, 2020.
3. The Department of Education shall report on the progress of implementing option (iv), including the number of divisions offering the option; the number of students earning a verified credit with such option; and the number of students attempting but not successfully earning a verified credit with such option. Such progress report shall be submitted to the Chairs of the House Appropriations and Senate Finance and Appropriations Committees by November 1, 2021.