Review & Revision of the 2018 Science Standards of Learning

Review of the 2018 Science Standards of Learning

On December 11, 2025, the Virginia Board of Education approved the 2025 Expanded High School Science Standards of Learning on final review.  The 2025 Expanded High School Science Standards of Learning describe the Commonwealth’s expectations for student learning and achievement in eleven high school science courses that are approved by the Board but do not have current academic standards. This includes Environmental Science, Biology II: Anatomy and Physiology, Biology II: Ecology, Biology II: Genetics, Biology II: Advanced Survey of Biology Topics, Earth Science II: Astronomy, Earth Science II: Geology, Earth Science II: Oceanography, Earth Science II: Advanced Survey of Earth Science Topics, Chemistry II: Advanced Survey of Chemistry Topics; Physics II: Advanced Survey of Physics Topics. The expansion of the standards to include these eleven new courses will provide for access and rigorous expectations and opportunities across the Commonwealth in all Board-approved science courses. The 2018 Science Standards of Learning for Kindergarten - Physics remain unchanged in content and practices.