Virginia Regulatory Town Hall
Agency
Department of Education
 
Board
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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9/19/25  12:52 pm
Commenter: Beverley Dudley, FCPS

Seal of Biliteracy for Industry Credential
 

Dear Members of the Virginia Board of Education,

I am writing in strong support of the Virginia Seal of Biliteracy being treated on equal footing with all other recognized industry credentials. While I am pleased to see the Seal included on the credential list, I am deeply concerned that it has been singled out as “Not eligible for 3E Readiness and CTE Federal and State Reimbursement.”

This designation undermines the very purpose of adding the Seal to the industry credential list. Language proficiency is an undeniably valuable career skill—one that supports Virginia’s global competitiveness, national security needs, and growing multilingual workforce. By excluding the Seal from accreditation indicators and reimbursement opportunities, schools will have little incentive to encourage students to pursue it, even though the General Assembly recognized its importance through HB2360.

Other industry credentials are supported through these measures because they represent tangible, job-ready skills. Bilingualism and biliteracy meet this same standard. In fact, the Seal of Biliteracy equips students with skills that are in high demand across education, business, health care, technology, and public service.

I urge the Board to reconsider this inequitable treatment and ensure that the Seal of Biliteracy is fully recognized for accreditation purposes and eligible for reimbursement like every other credential on the list. Doing so will send a powerful message that Virginia values the multilingual talents of its students and is committed to preparing them for success in a diverse and interconnected world.

Thank you for your attention and commitment to students’ futures.

Sincerely,
Beverley Dudley, MEd, Spanish Teacher FCPS

CommentID: 237220