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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10/5/25  4:29 pm
Commenter: Lynne Hendrick

Recognize the Seal of Biliteracy fully in CTE
 

I urge thee Board of Education to not treat the Seal of Biliteracy differently than other industry credentials, particularly since the Seal was specifically added to the industry credential list because the General Assembly recognizes that language skills are highly valued career skills!

By doing so, the Board of Education will recognize that Virginia colleges and universities increasingly recognize bilingual proficiency in admissions and placement decisions. By not giving the Seal full recognition, the Board risks creating misalignment between K–12 and higher education pathways.

The board of education will also be supporting sectors facing workforce shortages—such as healthcare, education, and public safety—depend heavily on multilingual workers. Recognizing the Seal fully could strengthen pipelines into these critical fields and support retention of Virginia graduates in-state.

This full recognition of the Seal of Biliteracy will also align with Virginia’s Economic Development Goals. The state actively courts international businesses and organizations. Recognizing biliteracy credentials supports these efforts by assuring potential employers that Virginia develops globally fluent talent.

Finally the Board will be recognizing our military families and children.  Virginia has a large population of military-connected students, many of whom acquire language skills while living abroad. Full recognition of the Seal would honor their unique experiences and provide them a meaningful credential upon returning to Virginia schools.

 

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