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Standards of Accreditation

Section 22.1-253.13:3 B of the Code of Virginia requires the Virginia Board of Education promulgate regulations establishing standards for accreditation. These regulations govern public schools operated by local school boards providing instruction to students as defined in 8 VAC 20-131-5. Other schools licensed under other state statutes are exempt from these requirements.

The standards for the accreditation of public schools in Virginia are designed to ensure that an effective educational program is established and maintained in Virginia's public schools. The accreditation standards:

• Provide an essential foundation of educational programs of high quality in all schools for all students.
• Encourage continuous appraisal and improvement of the school program for the purpose of raising student achievement.
• Foster public confidence.
• Assure recognition of Virginia's public schools by other institutions of learning.
• Establish a means of determining the effectiveness of schools.

Standards For Accrediting Public Schools in Virginia

Revisions to the Regulations Establishing Standards for Accrediting Public Schools in Virginia were adopted by the Board of Education on February 19, 2009, and became effective July 31, 2009. As a result of legislative action taken during the 2011 General Assembly, certain provisions will become effective with the 2011-2012 school year and other provisions will not become effective until 2012-2013 and beyond.  For more information, please read Superintendent’s Memo No. 112-11, issued April 15, 2011.

Regulations Establishing the Standards For Accrediting Public Schools in Virginia (Word) – Effective August 31, 2011

Other resources:

• Fact Sheets:
  • Accreditation Ratings (Word)
  • Graduation and Completion Index (Word)
    
  • Standard and Advanced Studies Diploma (Word)
  • Technical Diplomas (Word)
    
• Waiver of the 140-Clock-Hour Requirement to Earn Standard and Verified Credits (PDF)
• Update to the Regulations Establishing Standards for Accrediting Public Schools in Virginia – Delay in Implementation – Superintendent’s Memo No. 112-10, May 7, 2010
  
• Revisions to the Regulations Establishing Standards for Accrediting Public Schools in Virginia - Changes for the 2009-2010 School Year – Superintendent’s Memo No. 292-09, October 16, 2009
• Courses to Satisfy Graduation Requirements in Virginia Public Schools for Students Who Entered Ninth Grade for the First Time in 2010-2011 and Beyond
• Courses to Satisfy Graduation Requirements in Virginia Public Schools for Students Who Entered Ninth Grade for the First Time in 2003-2004 through 2009-2010 (PDF)

• Board of Education Approval of Advanced Placement (AP) Calculus BC to Verify Two Mathematics Credits – Superintendent’s Memo No. 153-10, July 9, 2010
• Guidance Document Governing Certain Provisions of the Regulations Establishing Standards for Accrediting Public Schools in Virginia (8 VAC 20-131) (Word)
• Academic and Career Plan
• The Standards & SOL-based Instructional Resources
• Graduation Requirements

 

Please submit any questions you have about the regulations or guidance document to the Office of Policy by phone (804) 225-2403 or by e-mail at policy@doe.virginia.gov

Standards of Accreditation Archives

Documents are PDF files. Standards from 1970 through 1992 are scanned documents and will take longer to download.

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