Teaching, Learning & Assessment » Student Assessment » Virginia SOL Assessment Program

Innovative Assessment Work Group

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The Department and Secretary of Education shall establish a workgroup to provide input on the needs of the assessment system, participate in the work of the vendor, and consist, at a minimum, of representatives of statewide organizations that represent superintendents, teachers, principals, and curriculum development and assessment, and individuals with experience implementing statewide assessment systems. (Item 119.A.3.d. (Chapter 725, 2025 Acts of Assembly)

Work Group Focus

  • The Innovative Assessment Work Group will
    • Provide input on the needs of the assessment system.
    • Analyze options for implementing an innovative new statewide assessment system to support high-quality teaching and learning.
      • Project-based or performance-based approaches
      • Accessibility for English Learners, students with disabilities
      • Integration of growth measures that provide actionable feedback for educators 
      • Rubrics, sample items, exemplars and other resources that clarify benchmarks for success
  • The new assessment system will align with Virginia's Standards of Learning (SOL) and is targeted for implementation by the 2027-2028 school year.

Work Group Meetings and Materials

Meeting 1: October 30, 2025

Meeting 2: November 6, 2025

Meeting 3: November 20, 2025

Meeting 4: December 4, 2025

Meeting 5: January 9 , 2026

Full day meeting

 Meeting 6: March 17

 Published Report and Presentation

Pursuant to Item 119 of the 2025 Appropriations Act (HB 1600), the Virginia Department of Education (VDOE) contracted with WestEd and Quality Information Partners (QIP) to evaluate exemplar assessment systems across 10 focus areas and develop actionable options for modernizing Virginia’s Standards of Learning (SOL) assessment system. This report presents findings from that analysis, along with system design options, implementation guidance, and procurement recommendations for consideration.