The Virginia Department of Education under the previous administration revised its system for evaluating the performance of public schools. However, this new system has been heavily criticized for ignoring public feedback about the plan and for unfair treatment of schools with students who are not yet proficient in the English language.

To ensure that the new plan will be fair, transparent, and effective at improving student growth and learning outcomes statewide, and that it does not increase inequities in our public schools, we must extend the formal period of assessment from the 2025-2026 school year to the 2027-2028 school year, as is allowed as an alternative established by the Board of Education. This timing will allow the opportunity to address public feedback on the plan and allow school districts to better prepare at-risk students for the test.