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  1:20 pm
Commenter: Jennifer Houf

Seal of Biliteracy
 

Dear Members of the Virginia Board of Education,

I am writing to express my strong support for the Virginia Seal of Biliteracy and to urge that it be afforded the same recognition as all other industry credentials. While it is encouraging to see the Seal included on the official credential list, I am deeply troubled by its current classification as “Not eligible for 3E Readiness and CTE Federal and State Reimbursement.”

Placing such a limitation on the Seal undercuts the very intent of recognizing it as an industry credential. Proficiency in more than one language is a critical career skill that directly strengthens Virginia’s global competitiveness, supports national security priorities, and reflects the realities of our increasingly multilingual workforce. If the Seal is excluded from accreditation indicators and reimbursement, schools will be less likely to promote it—despite the General Assembly’s clear acknowledgment of its value through HB2360.

Just like other credentials, the Seal of Biliteracy represents measurable, job-ready skills. In fact, bilingualism and biliteracy are in especially high demand across fields such as business, health care, education, technology, and public service. To treat the Seal differently is to discount the skills and opportunities it provides to Virginia students.

I respectfully urge the Board to revise this inequitable designation and grant the Seal of Biliteracy full recognition for accreditation purposes and reimbursement eligibility. Doing so will affirm Virginia’s commitment to honoring the multilingual abilities of its students and to equipping them for success in a diverse, interconnected world.

Thank you,

Jennifer Houf

8th Grade Science Teacher

CommentID: 237222