Budget and Funding
VASS supports an extension of the current time-line to fully fund the VRS funds to 4 biennium budgets (instead of 3) in order to diminish the fiscal impacts on local governing bodies.
VASS supports an increase in the state SOQ funding. Currently, most VA school divisions are operating with state funding that is below FY07 levels.
VASS supports the full funding of SOQ mandates.
VASS supports the removal of the SOQ Support Position Cap to more accurately reflect current practice in local school divisions.
VASS supports increased flexibility in local use of SOQ funding.
Assessment and Accountability
VASS encourages a delay in the implementation of the A-F grading system.
VASS supports a reduction in the total number of mandated SOL Exams for students (currently 34).
VASS supports the establishment of a State-wide taskforce to address reform of the Standards of Learning assessment and accountability system. Among the Items to address:
- The piloting of alternate assessment and accountability measures (instead of SOL Exams) in selected school divisions.
- Encourage the inclusion of alternate assessment and accountability measures in any reforms to the state accountability system.
- The use of a tiered assessment system for state accountability that could include state mandated tests, locally developed assessments, and existing external examinations such as the PSAT or A.P. test.
- The inclusion of the sampling of student work (vs. testing all students) at various grade levels in any reforms to the state accountability system.