VGA: Alternative Assessments

Background 

Senate Bill 345 and House Bill 1076 passed by the 2024 General Assembly permits school boards to administer alternative assessments, aligned to the Standards of Learning (SOL), to the Virginia Growth Assessments (VGA) during the 2024-2026 school years. The alternative assessments will not replace the end-of-year, federally required SOL tests in grades 3-8. 

Senate Bill 345

§ 1. Notwithstanding subsection C of § 22.1-253.13:3 of the Code of Virginia, the Board of Education shall permit school boards to administer, during the 2024–2026 school years, assessments as alternatives to the through-year growth assessment system established by the Board of Education pursuant to such provision of law, provided that any such alternative assessment is aligned to the Standards of Learning. 

Alternative Assessment Submission Form Process

1. Assessment vendors with alternative assessments to the VGA submit to the Virginia Department of Education (the Department) a completed submission form and required documentation indicating alignment to the SOL. Download the vendor VGA alternative assessment submission form here.
2. The Department will share with school divisions via communication to Division Directors of Testing that the vendor has assured the alternative assessment is aligned to the SOL.  
3. School boards may review assessment vendor submissions to determine if the school division will use an alternative assessment in lieu of the VGA.  
4. The Department will extend no-cost contracts with assessment vendors that successfully submit assurances and documentation to support local procurement of such assessments.  
5. School divisions will be required to submit to the Department separate documentation indicating which alternative assessment(s) the division will use and assurances that the alternative assessments will be administered at least at the beginning and middle of the school year. Download the division VGA alternative assessment submission form here. 

All submission forms should be sent to Katie Carroll (Katie.Carroll@doe.virginia.gov), Deputy Superintendent of School Performance and Support. Division submission forms should be submitted prior to the administration of the alternative assessment.  

Alternative Assessments to the VGA 

• CIP Benchmarks Administered via Mastery Connect
  • CIP: Alternative Vendor Form (PDF)
  • CIP: Alternative Vendor Form Attachment (PDF)
• NWEA, a division of Houghton Mifflin Harcourt
  • NWEA: Alternative Vendor Form (PDF)
• Renaissance Learning, Inc.
  • Renaissance: Alternative Vendor Form (PDF)
  • Renaissance: Alternative Vendor Form Attachment (PDF)