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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9/21/25 1:14 pm

Commenter: Lauren MacLean

Removing Restrictions on the Seal of Biliteracy

Dear Virginia Board of Education Members,

I am writing to voice my appreciation for the inclusion of the Seal of Biliteracy to the list of industry credentials. However, I am deeply concerned about the unique restrictions placed on the Seal, which state it is "Not eligible for 3E Readiness and CTE Federal and State Reimbursement."

Such a designation undermines the inclusion of the Seal as a workplace readiness skill, and does not demonstrate the way bilingualism is valued by employers in multiple sectors. This current contradictory guidance creates confusion for both school divisions and for students; it indicates that we value bilingualism, but not in a way that is equivalent to other general workforce assessments in the Commonwealth.

As educators, we are always working to prepare our students for the global workforce, and we know their multilingualism will be an asset to their career growth whether employed immediately, enrolling in a postsecondary school, or enlisting in the military. Given these benefits, I urge the board to remove this restriction to ensure the Seal of Biliteracy is recognizable both as an industry credential and as a reimbursable measure of 3E Readiness.

CommentID: 237296