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. 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.

E. Out of this appropriation, $5,000,000 the second year from the general fund is provided to continue to support the through-year growth assessment system for grades three through eight, pursuant to the provisions of Chapter 443 and Chapter 444, 2021 Special Session I.