School Divisions of Innovation; performance-based assessments. (SB302)

Introduced By

Sen. Barbara Favola (D-Arlington) with support from co-patron Sen. Jennifer Wexton (D-Leesburg)

Description

School Divisions of Innovation; performance-based assessments. Provides that a local school board applying for its school division to be designated as a School Division of Innovation may apply to the Board of Education (Board) to replace certain Standards of Learning assessments with performance-based assessments. The bill requires the Board to determine if the local school board has the capacity to administer and score performance-based assessments and provides criteria for such determination. Under the bill, any proposed performance-based assessment is required to be an adequate replacement of the relevant Standards of Learning assessment by requiring that students demonstrate the knowledge and skills required by the relevant Standards of Learning and one or more of critical thinking, creativity, collaboration, communication, or citizenship. The standards of learning assessments eligible for replacement are (i) Virginia Studies, (ii) Civics and Economics, (iii) elementary school science, and (iv) middle school science. The bill requires the Board to promulgate any necessary regulations and to submit to the U.S. Department of Education any necessary amendments to its consolidated state plan. Read the Bill »

Outcome

History