Virginia Standards of Quality
The Constitution of Virginia (Article VIII, § 2) requires the Board of Education to prescribe standards of quality for the public schools of Virginia, subject to revision only by the General Assembly. These standards, found in the Code of Virginia at §§ 22.1-253.13:1 through 22.1-253.13:10, are known as the Standards of Quality (SOQ) and encompass the requirements that must be met by all Virginia public schools and school divisions. Every two years, as required by the Code, the Board of Education reviews the SOQ for necessary revisions. In conducting the review, the board seeks public comment including suggestions and concerns of educators, parents, students, employers, civic and community leaders, and other interested citizens in addressing the needs, priorities, and programs in public schools across Virginia. The board accepts comments at BOE@doe.virginia.gov.
2021 Standards of Quality
- 2021 General Assembly Revisions to the Standards of Quality-This is a PDF document. – Superintendent’s Memo 195-21, July 23, 2021
- 2021 Standards of Quality-This is a Word document.
Previous Versions of the Standards of Quality
2020 Standards of Quality
- 2020 General Assembly Revisions to the Standards of Quality-This is a Word document. – Superintendent’s Memo 258-20, October 2, 2020
- 2020 Standards of Quality-This is a Word document.
2019 Standards of Quality
- 2019 General Assembly Revisions to the Standards of Quality-This is a Word document. – Superintendent’s Memo 172-19, July 26, 2019
- 2019 Standards of Quality-This is a Word document.
2018 Standards of Quality
- 2018 General Assembly Revisions to the Standards of Quality – Superintendent’s Memo 195-18, July 27, 2018
- 2018 Standards of Quality-This is a Word document.
2017 Standards of Quality
- 2017 General Assembly Revisions to the Standards of Quality – Superintendent’s Memo 222-17, July 28, 2017
- 2017 Code of Virginia Standards of Quality with Changes Effective July 1, 2017-This is a PDF document. (PDF)
2016 Standards of Quality
- 2016 General Assembly Revisions to the Standards of Quality – Superintendent’s Memo 176-16, July 15, 2016
- 2016 Code of Virginia Standards of Quality with Changes Effective July 1, 2016 (PDF)
- Flexibility Provisions in the Code of Virginia and the 2016 Appropriation Act – Superintendent’s Memo 187-16, July 29, 2016
2015 Standards of Quality
- 2015 General Assembly Revisions to the Standards of Quality – Superintendent’s Memo 168-15, July 10, 2015
- 2015 Code of Virginia Standards of Quality with Changes Effective July 1, 2015 (PDF)
- Flexibility Provisions in the Code of Virginia and the 2015 Appropriation Act – Superintendent’s Memo 165-15, July 10, 2015
2014 Standards of Quality
- Explanation of the 2014 General Assembly Revisions to the Standards of Quality – Superintendent’s Memo 183-14, July 11, 2014
- Code of Virginia – 2014 Standards of Quality (PDF)
- Flexibility Provisions in the Code of Virginia and the 2014 Appropriation Act – Superintendent’s Memo 192-14, July 18, 2014
2013 Standards of Quality
- Transmittal of the 2013 Standards of Quality – Superintendent’s Memo 178-13, July 5, 2013
- Code of Virginia – 2013 Standards of Quality (PDF)
- Flexibility Provisions in the Code of Virginia and the 2013 Appropriation Act – Superintendent’s Memo 218-13, August 16, 2013
2012 Standards of Quality
- Transmittal of the 2012 Standards of Quality – Superintendent’s Memo 170-12, July 13, 2012
- Code of Virginia – 2012 Standards of Quality (Word)
- Excerpts from Chapter 3, 2012 Acts of Assembly (2012-2014 Appropriation Act) (Word)
2011 Standards of Quality
- Transmittal of the 2011 Standards of Quality – Superintendent's Memo 196-11, July 15, 2011
- Code of Virginia – 2011 Standards of Quality (PDF)
- Excerpts from the Chapter 890, 2011 Acts of Assembly (2011 Appropriation Act) (PDF)
2010 Standards of Quality
See Board of Education Agenda Item I (PDF) for additional information regarding proposed legislation reviewed by the board in late 2010 and approved by the board in early 2011. The legislation was approved by the General Assembly and became effective July 1, 2011.