By Shirleen Guerra | The Center Square
(The Center Square) – Virginia students will soon face tougher requirements on state tests.
The Board of Education voted last week to raise the cut scores that decide whether a student is considered proficient on Standards of Learning exams. Officials said the change is meant to give families a clearer picture of whether students are ready for college, the workforce or military service.
The department said the move signals “a renewed commitment to rigor, transparency, and higher student outcomes across the Commonwealth.”
The change ties Virginia’s benchmarks to the National Assessment of Educational Progress, the Nation’s Report Card. According to the Virginia Department of Education, aligning proficiency with NAEP means students are measured against the same expectations used nationally.
Gov. Glenn Youngkin praised the board’s decision, calling it “a victory for excellence in Virginia education” and saying it reflects the belief that students must be ready for life after high school.
Recent results show 2024–25 statewide pass rates were 74.0% in reading, 75.7% in writing, 72.5% in math, 71.2% in science, and 66.5% in history and social science, according to VDOE. That leaves roughly a quarter to a third of students not meeting the current bar.
National data is similar. A 2024 report shows Virginia fourth graders averaged 238 in math and 214 in reading. Eighth graders averaged 275 in math and 256 in reading. Those scores were not significantly different from national averages, according to NAEP.
The Department of Education says the higher cut scores will be phased in with added supports. Parents will begin receiving more detailed score reports showing performance levels, mastery of specific skills, and areas for improvement instead of just a pass/fail mark.
Officials also plan to launch a communications toolkit for families and expand professional development for educators. A series of input sessions will run through October, with feedback shaping the final implementation plan.
Board President Grace Creasey said in a statement the change reflects that higher expectations in school prepare students for challenges beyond the classroom. “We have a Constitutional duty to provide a high-quality education to every student in Virginia’s public schools,” she said. “To do that, we must provide a rigorous education that sets high expectations for our students, parents, and teachers to meet together.”
State Superintendent Emily Anne Gullickson called the vote “one of the most consequential actions this Board will take during this term.”
The Virginia Department of Education is set to give a final multi-year phase-in implementation plan on Oct. 23, 2025.
