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).

Previous Comment Next Comment Back to List of Comments

10/8/25 12:18 am

Commenter: Dr. Sharon Scinicariello

Fully Recognize the Seal of Biliteracy as an Industry Credential

The General Assembly deserves the gratitude of all Virginians for elevating the Seal of Biliteracy as a high-impact industry credential. This action recognizes that the Virginia workforce is multilingual, multicultural, and has a global impact through its businesses that trade around the world. However, the proposal to lessen the status of this credential by declaring it “Not eligible for 3E Readiness and CTE Federal and State Reimbursement’ undermines the bipartisan work of the General Assembly, elected to make these decisions.

It is important to understand that achieving the Seal of Biliteracy is not simply the result of classwork. Language proficiency to meet the required standard demands constant practice and the ability to use the language in a variety of situations. The Seal certifies that one will be able to use both languages in the workplace.

A survey conducted by IPSOS in 2018 for the American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages (ACTFL) found that nine of ten U.S. employers rely on employees with language skills other than English; 56% say their foreign language demand will increase, and 36% say it will remain the same.The survey also found that employees with world language skills are needed in sectors that many of Virginia’s high school graduates will enter: construction, manufacturing, health care, hospitality, and technical services. These needs are not limited to employers working in international markets. According to the survey, 47% of employers need employees with world language skills only for the domestic market and 25% have needs that are ‘mostly domestic’.

Because the skills recognized by the Seal of Biliteracy are clearly needed by American economic interests, I urge the Board to align the implementation of the Seal as an industry credential 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.

CommentID: 237416