“Virginia is making a strong and important commitment to being honest with parents about how their child is doing in reading and math. The state is increasing academic rigor and establishing high expectations with clear and transparent measurement for each and every student.
“Moving toward NAEP-aligned cut scores to measure student outcomes will give Virginians a clear and accurate picture of student achievement, ensuring parents, educators and policymakers can make informed decisions that support student learning.
“For too long, Virginians were given an overly optimistic view of student achievement that masked troubling achievement gaps. Over the next four years, Virginia is aligning state cut scores with the nation’s gold standard in academic measurement, choosing to prioritize truth, accountability and raising the bar at a time when other states are lowering expectations.
“We are grateful for the leadership of Secretary of Education Aimee Guidera, Superintendent Emily Anne Gullickson and the Virginia Board of Education for their support of higher academic expectations. This action will help ensure students are on track for long-term success in school and beyond.”
About Virginia’s 2024 NAEP Results
The 2024 National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) revealed stark and troubling realities about student achievement in the Commonwealth.
About Virginia’s 2024 Standards of Learning Results
Meanwhile, state test results on the Virginia Standards of Learning assessment suggested higher levels of achievement, presenting a far more favorable, yet misleading, picture of student achievement.
Expectations on the Virginia state assessment, often referred to as “cut scores” overstated proficiency compared to NAEP. Moving toward NAEP-aligned expectations will provide a clearer and accurate picture of future student achievement.
For more information, click here and here for impact data.
