Last year, the General Assembly charged the Superintendent of Public Instruction and the Secretary of Education to work with policy experts and education stakeholders to develop recommendations to promote excellence and higher student achievement in the commonwealth.

The Virginia Department of Education and the Education Secretariat have worked for almost eighteen months to study outcomes of policies in other states across the nation to ensure that Virginia is implementing best-in-class policies. Based on the input of key stakeholders—including those in the workgroup, policy experts, and the insights of the Secretary of Education and the Superintendent of Public Instruction, this report has identified four key areas where Virginia schools can improve and develop best-in-class practices:

• Develop a strong accreditation system: Virginia’s accreditation system should communicate student achievement in school so that students, parents, teachers, and school leaders can assess student performance and provide targeted supports.

• Set proficiency standards on SOL assessments that align with excellence: Virginia must raise the expectations for our students to ensure they receive the best education and are equipped to compete with students across the country and the world.

• Promote excellence in instruction and student achievement in mathematics: The mathematic SOLs need to be reinvigorated with rigor and applicable content for the 21st century.

• Expand pathways and options for students that ensure college and career readiness: Our K-12 education system should prepare every student for success in life, whether that be pursuing postsecondary education and training, joining the military, or entering the job market right out of school.