Mathematics

News & Announcements

Middle School Accelerated Mathematics

• July 11, 2025 - As divisions work towards implementing HB2686 (Chapter 309) and meeting the expectations of the School Performance and Support Framework, please consider the following: 
  
  
  1. What is the current status of your division’s acceleration policy? 
     This is an opportunity to consider how the acceleration and auto-enrollment legislation will complement your current acceleration policy, consider any additional criteria for acceleration in mathematics, as well as other disciplines, and develop 6-12 course pathways for accelerated students. If there is no existing division acceleration policy, the division and governing board should determine the process for developing and adopting an acceleration policy to be implemented in 2026-2027. 
     
     
  2. When do you start with auto-enrollment in mathematics?
     If you have current structures in place, the division may choose to begin the auto-enrollment process starting in the 2025-2026 academic year. Should an acceleration policy or related practices be absent, the division can leverage 2025 SOL test data, specifically upper quartile performance, and VDOE technical resources to inform policy development for full implementation in the 2026-2027 academic year. 

The HB2686 One Pager provides clarification on implementation of legislation. 

• June 30, 2025 - HB2686 requires each school board to develop and adopt a policy that sets forth the criteria for students in grades five through eight to be eligible to enroll in advanced or accelerated mathematics. Each policy should provide for the automatic enrollment of eligible students in advanced or accelerated mathematics based on Standards of Learning assessment scores in the statewide upper quartile, subject to course offerings and availability. 
  
  Divisions that currently have an acceleration policy may choose to begin the auto-enrollment process starting in the 2025-2026 academic year. Should an acceleration policy or related practices be absent, the division can leverage 2025 SOL test data, specifically upper quartile performance, and VDOE technical resources to inform policy development for full implementation in the 2026-2027 academic year.
  
  For autoenrollment in advanced or accelerated math for the 2025-2026 school year, school divisions should use the statewide upper quartile scores in the table below. These scores are generated from the 2025 Standards of Learning Mathematics assessments.  
  

  Grade Level	Statewide Upper Quartile SOL Mathematics Scores
  Grade 5	466-600
  Grade 6	440-600
  Grade 7	425-600
  Grade 8	421-600

• June 17, 2025 - The Virginia Department of Education has provided technical assistance resources to support divisions in developing and implementing an accelerated mathematics pathways policy aligned to HB2686. Resources are provided below.
  • Accelerated Mathematics Pathways-Technical Resource Document  
  • Accelerated Mathematics Pathways Parent Resource
  • Technical Assistance for the Use of SCED with Compacted Middle School Curriculum
    
    
• May 29, 2025 -The Virginia Department of Education (VDOE) is now accepting applications for the Middle School Mathematics Acceleration Grant. Divisions may apply through June 12, 2025.  
  
  The 2025 General Assembly appropriated funds to provide grants to support expanded access to online advanced math programming and expanded math experts through innovative math teacher credentialing options. This expansion may include funding for students to enroll in Virtual Virginia or other virtual course options, teachers to engage with professional learning or college courses focused on advanced coursework and higher-level mathematics endorsements, funding for teachers to take the Praxis tests needed to expand endorsements in mathematics, the development of compacted mathematics curriculum, and salary support needed to provide teachers to teach accelerated middle school curriculum or advanced mathematics coursework in high school. Other innovative strategies are encouraged and may be included in the grant application. Funding utilized through this grant may not be used to supplant current teacher salaries.
  
  Divisions are encouraged to apply for this funding opportunity to expand access to advanced math programming and to expand access to licensed teachers in higher level mathematics.  Additional information can be found in the Middle School Mathematics Acceleration Grant Slide Deck and information document.
  
  
• May 23, 2025 - The VDOE is excited to announce a grant opportunity to support accelerated mathematics coursework in middle school. Please register for the Middle School Mathematics Acceleration Grant Webinar at 9 a.m. on May 29, 2025. 

2025 Textbook and Instructional Materials Review Process

• March 27, 2025 - At its March 2025 meeting, the Virginia Board of Education approved a list of additional mathematics textbooks and instructional materials. All documents related to approved textbooks and instructional materials can be found on the Mathematics Textbooks and Instructional Resources web page. 
  
  
• February 27, 2025 - At its February 2025 meeting, the Virginia Board of Education approved a list of mathematics textbooks and instructional materials.  All documents related to approved textbooks and instructional materials can be found on the Mathematics Textbooks and Instructional Resources web page. 
  
  
• February 25, 2025 - At its February 2025 meeting, the Virginia Board of Education will receive for initial review an additional list of recommended Kindergarten - Grade 12 Mathematics Textbooks and Instructional Materials. The list of recommended materials was available for a 30-day public review and comment period, which is now closed. It is anticipated that the Board of Education will take final action on the additional list of recommended Kindergarten - Grade 12 Mathematics Textbooks and Instructional Materials at its March 2025 meeting. 

Resources Now Available to Support the 2023 Mathematics Standards of Learning

Instructional resources that are aligned to the 2023 Mathematics Standards of Learning are now available on the 2023 Mathematics Instructional Resources webpage.

2023 Mathematics Standards of Learning

The 2023 Mathematics Standards of Learning were approved by the Virginia Board of Education on August 31, 2023. The 2023 Mathematics Standards of Learning represent "best in class" standards and comprise the mathematics content that teachers in Virginia are expected to teach and students are expected to learn. The 2023 Mathematics Standards of Learning will be fully implemented during the 2024-2025 school year.

Resources

For additional information on Mathematics Resources for Instruction, Resources for Assessment, and Professional Development, visit the buttons below.

Professional Organizations

• National Council of Teachers of Mathematics (NCTM)
• National Council of Supervisors of Mathematics (NCSM)
• Virginia Council of Teachers of Mathematics (VCTM)
• Virginia Council for Mathematics Supervisors (VCMS)
• Virginia Council of Mathematics Specialists (VACMS)
• Virginia Mathematics & Science Coalition (VMSC)

Award Programs

• Presidential Awards for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching – The Presidential Award for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching (PAEMST) is the highest recognition that a kindergarten through 12th-grade mathematics or science teacher may receive for outstanding teaching in the United States.
• William C. Lowry Math Educator of the Year – Each year the Virginia Council of Teachers of Mathematics recognizes a classroom teacher on the elementary, middle, secondary, university, and mathematics specialist/coach level for his or her outstanding work and accomplishments in the teaching of mathematics.