Virginia Regulatory Town Hall View Comments

Department of Education

State Board of Education

Guidance Document Change: The Virginia Department of Education (VDOE) evaluates student credentials on an on-going basis against prescribed criteria for graduation requirements for the Standard Diploma 8VAC20-132-51(B) and verified credit(s) (8VAC20-132-110(C). The process for reviewing and validating student credentials for the purpose of awarding verified credit is based on the following criteria: (1) the test must be standardized and graded independently of the school or school division in which the test is given; (2) the test must be knowledge based; (3) the test must be administered on a statewide, multistate, or international basis, or administered as part of another state’s accountability assessment program; and (4) to be counted in a specific academic area, the test must measure content that incorporates or exceeds the Standards of Learning content in the course for which verified credit is given. Important to this process is ensuring that the credential is relevant and recognized in the workplace. The credential recommended for addition is the CAREER CONNECTIONS, Seal of Biliteracy. The credentials that are recommended for deletion as they have been discontinued by providers include the following: AGRICULTURAL EDUCATION, (i) Agricultural Biotechnology Assessment (NOCTI); (ii) Floriculture Assessment (NOCTI); (iii) Floriculture: Greenhouse Assessment (NOCTI); and (iv) Natural Resources Systems Assessment. BUSINESS AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY, (i) Banking and Related Services Assessment (NOCTI); (ii) IT Fundamentals Pro Examination (TestOut Corporation); (iii) Network Pro Certification Examination (TestOut Corporation); and (iv) PC Pro Certification Examination (TestOut Corporation). FAMILY AND CONSUMER SCIENCES, (i) Education and Training Assessment (NOCTI); (ii) Hospitality Management- Food and Beverage Assessment (NOCTI); (iii) Restaurant, Food and Beverage Services Assessment (NOCTI). HEALTH AND MEDICAL SCIENCES, (i) Diagnostic Services Assessment (NOCTI); (ii) Medical Assistant Certification (MAC) Examination (American Medical Certification Association (AMCA); (iii) Practical Nursing Assessment (NOCTI); (iv) Therapeutic Services Assessment (NOCTI). MARKETING, (i)Lodging Assessment (NOCTI). TECHNOLOGY AND ENGINEERING EDUCATION, (i) Mechanical Drafting and Design Assessment (NOCTI). TRADE AND INDUSTRIAL EDUCATION, (i) Automotive Technician- Advanced Assessment (NOCTI); (ii) CAD-CAM Assessment (NOCTI); (iii) Industrial Electricity Assessment (NOCTI); (iv) Protective Services Assessment (NOCTI); (v) Construction Masonry- Block Assessment (NOCTI); (vi) Emergency and Fire Management Services Assessment (NOCTI); (vii) Emergency Medical Services Assessment (NOCTI).

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9/17/25 11:21 am

Commenter: Jeremy Aldrich

Seal of Biliteracy as an industry credential

I am encouraged to see the Virginia Seal of Biliteracy added to the list of approved industry credentials. However, I am deeply concerned that it is the only credential carrying the restrictive designation “Not eligible for 3E Readiness and CTE Federal and State Reimbursement.” This is a serious oversight.

Employers across multiple industries consistently identify bilingualism as a highly valuable skill, one that directly strengthens the workforce and expands career readiness opportunities for students. To exclude the Seal of Biliteracy from 3E Readiness and funding eligibility sends a contradictory message: that we recognize bilingualism as an industry credential, but do not value it on par with other general workforce assessments such as the National Career Readiness Certificate (NCRC) or the Workplace Readiness Skills for the Commonwealth Examination.

If we truly intend to prepare students for success in a global workforce and respond to employer demand, the Seal of Biliteracy must be treated with equal weight. I urge the Board to remove this exclusion and ensure that the Seal is recognized fully as both an industry credential and a measure of 3E Readiness.

CommentID: 237164