Teacher Resources & Training for Virginia Alternate Assessment Program
The Virginia Alternate Assessment Program (VAAP) assessments are multiple-choice assessments in the content areas of reading, mathematics, and science that are administered to students in an online or paper format. The VAAP is based on academic content standards derived from the Standards of Learning in reading, mathematics, and science that have been reduced in depth, breadth, and complexity. These content standards are referred to as the Virginia Essentialized Standards of Learning (VESOL).
The 2021 VESOL in reading, mathematics, and science will be used to provide classroom instruction during the 2025-2026 school year. The VAAP tests will assess students in these standards during the spring 2026 test administration. There will be field test items based on the 2025 Mathematics and Reading VESOL, that will not count toward a student’s test score. During the 2026-2027 school year, students will be instructed and assessed in science using the 2021 VESOL and in reading and mathematics using the 2025 VESOL.
To assist with the transition in instruction and assessment during 2025-2026 and 2026-2027, instructional crosswalk documents were created for reading and mathematics. Teachers are encouraged to use these crosswalk documents to provide instruction to students for the 2025-2026 school year. Use of these crosswalk documents will help to ensure content from each VESOL is provided through instruction during this year of transition between standards.
Resources
The VESOL and resources for the VAAP in reading, mathematics, and science are provided below:
VESOL:
- 2021 Virginia Essentialized Standards of Learning (reading, mathematics, and science) (PDF)
- 2025 Mathematics Virginia Essentialized Standards of Learning (Word, PDF)
- 2025 Reading Virginia Essentialized Standards of Learning (Word, PDF)
Crosswalk:
- Crosswalk for the 2025 Mathematics Virginia Essentialized Standards of Learning (Word, PDF)
- Crosswalk for the 2025 Reading Virginia Essentialized Standards of Learning (Word, PDF)
Introductory Recording for 2025 Mathematics and Reading VESOL
- Overview of the 2025 Virginia Essentialized Standards of Learning - This webinar recording provides details regarding the revisions to the mathematics and reading instructional standards.
Additional Resources:
- Teacher Frequently Asked Questions (Word)
- VAAP Participation Decision-Making Tool (PDF)
- VAAP Participation Decision-Making Tool FAQ (Word)
- TTAC Online
Instructional Practices for Students with the Most Significant Cognitive Disabilities
This recorded presentation features educators from three Virginia school divisions. The information includes curricular resources and activities that can be used to provide instruction for students with significant cognitive disabilities in Grades 3-8 and high school, based on the Virginia Essentialized Standards of Learning in reading, mathematics, and science.
- Instructional Practices for Students with Significant Cognitive Disabilities (YouTube video presentation)
Training Sessions for 2022-2023
- VAAP Module 1 Training – Preparing Eligible Students for the VAAP
- VAAP Module 2 Training – Science Instruction for Students with Significant Cognitive Disabilities
- VAAP Module 3 Training – Reading Instruction for Students with Significant Cognitive Disabilities
- VAAP Module 4 Training – Mathematics Instruction for Students with Significant Cognitive Disabilities