Virginia’s Textbook Review Process was last approved by the Virginia Board of Education in 2011. Pursuant to Enactment Clause 7 of Chapters 680 and 683 (2025 Acts of Assembly), the Virginia Department of Education (Department) was tasked with consulting with experienced teachers, division-level content specialists, and subject matter experts to evaluate proposed changes to the current textbook review and approval process. Through this consultation with educators who had engaged in recent review processes, as well as those who are division leaders, teachers, or other educators who have not engaged in review processes, the Department was able to gather information to inform updates to the current textbook review process.

This report first reviews the evaluation of changes to the current textbook review and approval process, followed by an identification and consideration of best practices for textbook review and approval processes. Finally, the report makes recommendations on (1) revising Virginia’s Textbook Review Process, (2) improving the selection and training process for statewide textbook review committees, (3) increasing opportunities for public comment on review and approval of textbooks and other high-quality instructional materials, and (4) updating Department procedures to support the process of reviewing and approving textbooks and other high-quality instructional materials.