Virginia Board of Education approves new school evaluation system, plans to create new report card

On Thursday, the Virginia State Board of Education voted to change a regulation that allows it to separate the way it evaluates schools into two systems: One will determine a school’s accreditation status based on how well it meets state requirements. The second is an accountability system that will include a school performance report card that officials say will be easier for parents to understand.

The board passed the change in a 5-1 vote and is expected to approve the accountability framework at its August meeting.

The board began revising the system last year. A 2023 report from the secretary of education and the superintendent of public instruction recommended splitting the evaluation system into two, similar to most other states.

Critics said the combined system masked changes in academic achievement, such as not reflecting lower test scores after the pandemic.

The new system will look at student readiness, growth and proficiency. Parts of the system — including performance descriptors — were approved this summer. The new model will use four descriptors to label school performance: Distinguished, On Track, Off Track and Needs Intensive Support.

Board member Anne Holton, who cast the no vote, said Thursday she was concerned that the new descriptors essentially amounted to an A through F system. Holton said she also believed student growth should be weighted higher on the school performance report cards.

During the public comments portion of the meeting, several people spoke for and against the new system. Representatives from the Virginia Association of School Superintendents, Virginia School Boards Association, the Virginia PTA and the Virginia Education Association voiced concerns, particularly about the category descriptors and the low weight for student growth.

Those who favored the new plan, including a representative from the School Board Member Alliance, said prioritizing proficiency over growth will raise expectations and better serve all students. The School Board Member Alliance is a conservative-leaning Virginia organization that supports school board members and some boards have used it as an alternative to the Virginia School Boards Association.

As presented at Thursday’s meeting, the new framework would weigh mastery — or proficiency — at 50% to 65% of a school’s overall score, varying across school levels. Growth would account for 20% to 25%. Other indicators include readiness and graduation rates.

Nour Habib, nour.habib@virginiamedia.com