VirginiaHB12432026 Regular SessionHouseWALLET

Standards of Quality; state accountability, Standards of Learning assessment expedited retake score.

Sponsored By: Israel D. O'Quinn (Republican)

Became Law

Summary

Standards of Quality; state accountability; Standards of Learning assessment expedited retake scores. Directs the Board of Education, in its calculation of the passage rate for a Standards of Learning assessment or the level of achievement of the Standards of Learning objectives for an individual student growth assessment for the purposes of state accountability ratings, to include, for any student who retakes an assessment on an expedited basis and receives a passing score, the passing score received on the expedited retake and to exclude the score such student received on the assessment taken during the regular assessment administration period.

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

9 provisions identified: 8 benefits, 0 costs, 1 mixed.

Stronger school accreditation and oversight

The Board sets clear, objective rules for school accreditation, including student outcomes and growth. It adds standards for full‑time public virtual schools. Schools are reviewed every year; fully accredited schools can get three‑year terms with annual reviews. Schools that miss standards must follow Board‑approved corrective plans; divisions can face division‑level reviews and agreements with the Board. Local boards must keep schools accredited and report status in public. The Board uses required tests, including end‑of‑course exams and approved local alternatives, in accreditation.

Retakes and recovery credit after low scores

Students who score below grade level can retake the test. For expedited retakes, the retake happens within two weeks of scoring, unless more time is needed for remediation. Retakes after June 30 need local board approval. A passing expedited retake counts for state accountability, but it does not replace the course grade. For grades 3–8 reading and math, the state awards recovery credit when a student gets help and then passes a retake. Schools must also give targeted math help in grades 6–8 when tests show computation gaps.

SOL waiver for Brown Scholarship adults

Adults who received a Brown v. Board Scholarship and enroll in an approved adult program do not have to meet SOL testing rules. This waiver applies to high school equivalency and adult diploma programs.

Testing options for students with disabilities

Students with disabilities can use alternative test methods when their IEP team decides it is appropriate. The Board sets the alternative methods.

Faster test results and public reporting

The Department gives high‑school SOL tests to divisions by December 1, or as soon as new tests are ready. The Board makes tests public after they are given when security is protected. Local boards give student scores to teachers, parents, and school leaders as soon as possible and report yearly. The state posts subgroup results on the public School Performance Report Card within three months. Superintendents must check that required reports are accurate and on time.

More ways to earn graduation credit

Students can earn credits by passing industry certifications or state licensure exams, under Board rules. When the state does not give a SOL in a subject, local boards must teach the content and give approved local alternatives each year. A passing score on an approved local alternative can replace a state end‑of‑course test for graduation. High‑school testing is limited to exams needed for federal accountability and for graduation.

Secure and modern testing tools

The Board can investigate and take action when test security is broken. It can withhold and later share records to protect tests and allow personnel action. When funded, the Board may hire vendors for web‑based and computer‑adaptive tests and a SOL‑aligned remediation item bank to track student progress.

Through‑year growth tests, fewer K–8 exams

The law uses through‑year growth tests in reading and math for grades 3–8. Students take at least start‑, mid‑, and end‑of‑year tests. Total time for these growth tests cannot exceed 150% of one end‑of‑year test. State tests are limited by grade: grades 3–4 reading and math; grade 5 adds science; grades 6–7 reading and math; grade 8 reading, writing, and math; science once in grades 6–8; Virginia Studies and Civics & Economics once at a grade set locally. Schools may give no more than one assessment per subject each quarter, and no more than four per year.

Waivers to try new school approaches

Local boards can request up to five‑year waivers from some state rules or use an Individual School Accreditation Plan. Waivers cannot remove rules required by law or for health and safety. The Board can also waive some staffing rules so divisions can assign more teachers to the highest‑need schools. Divisions must still meet total staffing levels and class‑size limits. Waivers can be renewed or revoked based on student results.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Israel D. O'Quinn

    Republican • House

Cosponsors

There are no cosponsors for this bill.

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 222 • No: 0

Senate vote 3/9/2026

Passed Senate Block Vote

Yes: 40 • No: 0

Senate vote 3/6/2026

Constitutional reading dispensed Block Vote (on 2nd reading)

Yes: 39 • No: 0

Senate vote 3/6/2026

Passed by for the day Block Vote (Voice Vote)

Yes: 0 • No: 0

Senate vote 3/5/2026

Reported from Education and Health

Yes: 15 • No: 0

House vote 2/17/2026

Read third time and passed House Block Vote

Yes: 97 • No: 0

House vote 2/11/2026

Reported from Education with amendment(s)

Yes: 21 • No: 0

House vote 2/10/2026

Subcommittee recommends reporting with amendment(s)

Yes: 10 • No: 0

Actions Timeline

  1. Acts of Assembly Chapter text (CHAP0459)

    4/8/2026Governor
  2. Approved by Governor-Chapter 459 (effective 7/1/2026)

    4/8/2026Governor
  3. Governor's Action Deadline 11:59 p.m., April 13, 2026

    3/25/2026Governor
  4. Enrolled Bill communicated to Governor on March 25, 2026

    3/25/2026House
  5. Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (HB1243)

    3/16/2026House
  6. Bill text as passed House and Senate (HB1243ER)

    3/14/2026House
  7. Enrolled

    3/14/2026House
  8. Signed by President

    3/14/2026Senate
  9. Signed by Speaker

    3/14/2026House
  10. Passed Senate Block Vote (40-Y 0-N 0-A)

    3/9/2026Senate
  11. Read third time

    3/9/2026Senate
  12. Passed by for the day Block Vote (Voice Vote)

    3/6/2026Senate
  13. Constitutional reading dispensed Block Vote (on 2nd reading) (39-Y 0-N 0-A)

    3/6/2026Senate
  14. Rules suspended

    3/6/2026Senate
  15. Reported from Education and Health (15-Y 0-N)

    3/5/2026Senate
  16. Assigned Education sub: Public Education

    2/26/2026Senate
  17. Referred to Committee on Education and Health

    2/18/2026Senate
  18. Constitutional reading dispensed (on 1st reading)

    2/18/2026Senate
  19. Read third time and passed House Block Vote (97-Y 0-N 0-A)

    2/17/2026House
  20. Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (HB1243)

    2/16/2026House
  21. Engrossed by House as amended

    2/16/2026House
  22. Read second time

    2/16/2026House
  23. committee amendments agreed to

    2/16/2026House
  24. Read first time

    2/13/2026House
  25. Reported from Education with amendment(s) (21-Y 0-N)

    2/11/2026House

Bill Text

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