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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10/5/25 11:57 am

Commenter: Jen Cory

Support for Seal of Biliteracy

I am writing to urge the Virginia Board of Education to reconsider the proposed restrictions on the Seal of Biliteracy as a recognized industry credential. The current proposal to exclude the Seal from 3E Readiness indicators and CTE reimbursement fundamentally undermines the intent of HB2360.

The General Assembly specifically recognized the Seal of Biliteracy as an industry credential because bilingual and multilingual skills are increasingly valuable in today's workforce. Employers across Virginia seek employees with language proficiency. By treating the Seal differently from other industry credentials, we are sending a contradictory message that devalues these critical career skills.

The proposed restrictions create practical barriers that will discourage schools from supporting students in earning the Seal:

Excluding it from Employment Readiness indicators means schools will prioritize at the expense of strong language programs
Denying CTE reimbursement places an unfair financial burden on school divisions and students, unlike almost every other industry credential on the list

This approach is particularly troubling given that language skills directly address workforce needs in our increasingly globalized economy. Students who earn the Seal of Biliteracy demonstrate advanced proficiency that benefits both their future employers and our Commonwealth's economic competitiveness.

I respectfully urge the Board to align its implementation with the clear legislative intent: to recognize and encourage biliteracy as the valuable career credential it truly is. The Seal of Biliteracy should receive the same treatment as other industry credentials, including eligibility for 3E Readiness indicators and CTE reimbursement.

Thank you for considering this comment.

CommentID: 237403