The Virginia Board of Education has voted to raise the cut scores, the passing marks, for reading and math on the SOL tests. These new cut scores are designed to match Virginia’s tougher academic standards adopted in math (2023) and English (2024).

The goal is simple: make sure that a Virginia diploma truly signals students are ready for college, career, or the military.

Why Now?

• Stronger standards, outdated measures. Until now, proficiency was judged against 2016 (math) and 2017 (English) standards. That meant students could “pass” without meeting today’s expectations.

• Closing the honesty gap. Virginia’s bar was among the lowest in the nation, masking how students were really performing, especially after post-pandemic learning loss.

What School Boards Need to Know

• This will not happen overnight. The new cut scores will be phased in over at least four years. The Board will set the final plan on October 24 after hearing more from divisions.

• No school will lose accreditation because of this. Changing cut scores does not affect accreditation status.

• Current seniors are protected. The Class of 2026 will still graduate using the existing 400 cut score for verified credits.

• Growth counts. Students and schools will still be measured on progress, not just one-time scores.

Support Is Coming with Higher Expectations

The Board emphasized this change comes with resources, not just rules:

• $35 million targeted for literacy and math.

• Flexible funding rules so divisions have more time to use grants effectively.

• DOE regional support networks and a new strategy to help principals.

• Division-specific impact data shared privately with each school system before public release.

Key Takeaways for School Board Members

1. Reassure your community. No schools are losing accreditation this year. Current students close to graduation are protected.

2. Plan for the phase-in. This is a multi-year change, not a sudden shift.

3. Use the support offered. Take advantage of DOE funding, coaching, and regional networks.

4. Communicate clearly. Parents and teachers need to know that while expectations are rising, time and resources are built in.

Bottom line: Virginia is raising the bar, but doing it gradually. Higher expectations are paired with funding, flexibility, and support to ensure students, teachers, and schools can succeed.

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The Virginia Board of Education (VBOE) is in the process of approving higher proficiency cut scores for the Standards of Learning (SOL) tests in math and reading/English language arts. Adopted in August 2025, these changes raise the thresholds that determine whether a student is classified as Failing, Proficient, or Advanced.

Why Did the Scores Change?

In spring 2025, Virginia rolled out updated SOL tests with new content in reading and math. Whenever tests change, the state must also adjust the cut scores, the numbers that define what counts as passing or excelling.

This time, the Board deliberately raised the bar. The goal is to align Virginia’s standards more closely with national benchmarks like the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) and to give parents, teachers, and policymakers a more honest picture of whether students are truly on track for college and career readiness.

For years, Virginia has been criticized for having one of the nation’s widest “honesty gaps,” meaning students who appeared proficient on state tests often scored much lower on NAEP. Raising the cut scores is meant to close that gap and restore trust in Virginia’s assessments.

What’s Changing in the Numbers?

The SOL scale still runs from 0 to 600, but the point at which students are considered “Proficient” or “Advanced” is shifting upward. For example:

• Grade 3 Reading: Proficient at 444, Advanced at 502

• Grade 3 Math: Proficient at 443, Advanced at 521

• Algebra I: Proficient at 453, Advanced at 518

These levels were not chosen at random. More than 200 educators, parents, and community leaders participated in setting them to ensure they reflect realistic expectations while raising standards.

Why Are Teachers and School Leaders Concerned?

While most agree that higher standards are necessary, teachers and administrators worry the changes will be used against them. A sudden drop in student pass rates could be misinterpreted as a decline in teacher performance rather than a reflection of the tougher bar.

This is where school boards have a vital role. They must make sure the community understands why the bar is being raised and reassure teachers that these results will be used as a tool for improvement, not punishment.

How School Boards Can Frame the Change

• Higher Standards, Honest Data: The new cut scores don’t mean students are learning less; they mean the measurement is more accurate. Boards should stress that the goal is stronger preparation for life after graduation.

• No Punishment for Teachers or Administrators: Teachers will not be evaluated solely on these new benchmarks. Boards should clarify that the purpose is to identify where extra support is needed.

• Goal-Setting, Not Threats: Cut scores should be presented as guideposts to track progress and set goals, not as a way to criticize staff.

• Support First, Accountability Second: Short-term dips are expected. Boards should prioritize resources like tutoring, remediation, and professional development.

• Transparency with Families: Parents will see test scores drop initially. Boards must explain that this is normal when standards rise and emphasize the long-term benefits of higher expectations.

The Bottom Line

Virginia is deliberately raising the bar for student achievement to ensure honesty in reporting and stronger preparation for the future. School boards play a central role in shaping how this change is received. By framing higher cut scores as tools for growth, not weapons for blame—, boards can support teachers, reassure families, and build trust that this shift is an investment in better schools and brighter futures for Virginia’s students.

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"There are multiple reports of deeply troubling publicly posted comments on social media about the assassination of Charlie Kirk made by Virginia school personnel. Celebrating or condoning political violence is unacceptable and has absolutely no place in Virginia’s public schools. 

Parents entrust our educators with the care and development of their children, and they rightly expect teachers and school leaders to model the values of respect, civility, and responsibility.  Anyone who would suggest the heinous murder of the father of two young children is acceptable should be disqualified from teaching or working with children again. 

Local school divisions should promptly investigate these reports in accordance with their policies and local Standards of Professional Conduct and Ethics and refer teachers and administrators who have violated these essential standards of decency to the Virginia Board of Education for licensure revocation. The Department stands ready to support superintendents and will be evaluating options with the Board of Education for state action for those local school divisions that do not hold their personnel responsible. 

Any suggestion that this assassination can be justified violates the most basic principles of human dignity. Together, we all must work to ensure that our schools remain places where every student is safe to learn and that families can trust the system."

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Press release originally published 09/13/2025 8:21 AM by the Virginia Department of Education.

On June 27, 2025, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled in Trump v. Casa that lower federal courts can no longer issue orders that block federal policies across the entire country, unless the case is a certified class action. These types of sweeping rulings, called nationwide or “universal” injunctions, were being used by activists to stop federal laws or executive orders by filing lawsuits in favorable courts.

Justice Amy Coney Barrett, writing for the 6–3 majority, said this kind of power was never given to federal courts under the Constitution or early U.S. law. Courts should only decide cases for the people involved—not the whole country, unless a group of people is officially represented as a class.

This ruling puts an end to a legal tactic known as “forum shopping,” where political groups file lawsuits in specific courts they think will side with them in order to stop national policies.

Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson disagreed, warning that this limits people’s ability to stop the government from violating the Constitution. But the Court’s majority said that protecting the balance of powers means not letting courts overstep their role.

This decision will change how future legal challenges to federal policies are handled and strengthens the limits on judicial power.

In a landmark 6–3 decision issued on June 27, 2025, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled in Mahmoud v. Taylor that parents have the constitutional right to excuse their elementary-aged children from reading or discussing LGBTQ+-themed storybooks that conflict with their religious beliefs. The Court granted a preliminary injunction against the Montgomery County (Maryland) Board of Education, finding that its refusal to allow parental opt-outs violated the Free Exercise Clause of the First Amendment.

What This Means for School Boards:

This decision is a major victory for parental rights and religious liberty. The Court reaffirmed that public schools cannot impose instruction that "substantially interferes" with a child's religious upbringing—especially without notice or opt-out options for families. Citing Wisconsin v. Yoder and West Virginia v. Barnette, the justices made it clear that government-mandated instruction that contradicts sincerely held religious beliefs—especially regarding sexuality and gender—can create an “objective danger” to the free exercise of religion.

Key Takeaways for Virginia School Boards:

• Boards must provide advance notice to parents when books or lessons involve sensitive ideological or moral content, particularly about sexuality or gender.

• Parents have a constitutional right to opt their children out of instruction that burdens their religious exercise.

• Denying opt-outs and forcing participation may violate the First Amendment, even if the curriculum is otherwise lawful.

• If your division allows opt-outs for other non-core topics (like health education), you cannot selectively deny them for religious reasons without triggering strict scrutiny.

Policy Tip: Review your instructional materials and opt-out procedures to ensure your division’s policy allows religious accommodations and that parents are notified ahead of controversial instruction. The Mahmoud ruling is a clear signal: Boards that ignore parental rights do so at legal risk.

© School Board Member Alliance (SBMA), 2025. For informational purposes only. Not legal advice. Consult your school board attorney for guidance.

Over the past few months, SBMA has had the incredible opportunity to attend national-level events and connect with organizations working to restore civic literacy and patriotic education across the country. We’re excited to share some of the most inspiring free resources we’ve discovered—resources every school board, teacher, and family can use to teach the true story of America.

An American Tradition: The Independence Day Ceremony (book pdf)

From PragerU
More than just fireworks and cookouts, this interactive July 4th ceremony book is inspired by the Passover Seder and is designed to bring the founding of America to life. It includes:

• A ready-to-use script

• Key Revolutionary War milestones

• Founding Father profiles

• A family-friendly educational quiz

PragerU has also released a powerful video series where the Founding Fathers come to life through first-person storytelling.

Remembering the Truth: The Victims of Communism Foundation (VOC)

With communism on the rise in classroom conversations, VOC’s resources are more important than ever. They offer:

• A high school curriculum on the history and horrors of communism

• In-person and online teacher training

• Survivor testimonies from the Witness Project

• Fact sheets on historic events and countries under totalitarian regimes

• A curated online bookstore with history texts, memoirs, and classroom resources

• Webinars, video series, and lectures highlighting real-world stories of resistance and survival

These materials are deeply aligned with SBMA’s mission to promote civic education that is honest, rigorous, and rooted in the values of liberty and truth.

Want More Resources Like These?

Join us as a Community Member or “Friend of SBMA” for just $25 a year.
You’ll gain access to curated materials, early event announcements, and policy updates that help you stay informed and engaged.

In A.J.T. v. Osseo Area Schools, the U.S. Supreme Court unanimously ruled that K-12 students with disabilities do not need to prove a school acted on purpose to discriminate against them. Instead, schools can now be held responsible if they knew a student needed help and didn’t act, a standard called deliberate indifference.

What This Means for Virginia School Boards

This decision has major implications for school board policy and legal responsibility in Virginia. From now on, it’s not enough for a school to say it didn’t mean to discriminate, if a district ignores or delays needed accommodations, it could still be violating federal law.

Key Takeaways:

Same Legal Standard for All
Students with disabilities must be treated like all other people protected under the ADA. Virginia school divisions must ensure they respond to accommodation requests with care and not just good intentions.

Update Policies and Practices
Boards should carefully review how their schools handle ADA and Section 504 requests, especially unique needs like flexible school hours or special transportation. Staff convenience or scheduling should never outweigh a student’s right to learn.

Don’t Rely on Weak Excuses
In the case, the school district was criticized for putting employee schedules above the student’s health needs. Virginia school boards must ensure all decisions are backed by real educational or legal reasons, not just what’s easiest for staff.

Higher Risk of Lawsuits
Because this decision lowers the burden of proof for families, more parents may now be able to sue if schools don’t follow the law. Boards should review how well their schools are complying, especially in areas like scheduling and classroom access.

Stay Informed on Federal Changes
This ruling comes as some states try to scale back disability protections. But unless federal courts change the law, Virginia school boards should continue to follow current ADA and Section 504 rules.

Bottom Line:

Virginia school divisions should review their policies, train staff, and make sure accommodation requests are taken seriously. It’s no longer just about avoiding bad intent, it’s about making sure students with disabilities get the help they need.

This is for informational purposes only and should not be considered legal guidance.
© SBMA 2025

We’re excited to share a major development that reinforces our shared mission of protecting students and restoring academic integrity across our schools.

The U.S. Department of Education has officially declared June as Title IX Month , honoring the 53rd anniversary of the landmark 1972 law that guarantees women equal access to educational opportunities.

In a powerful show of commitment, the Office for Civil Rights (OCR) has launched two key Title IX investigations:

✅ University of Wyoming is under investigation for allowing a male to join a female-only sorority, violating Title IX protections for single-sex organizations.
✅ Jefferson County Public Schools (CO) is being investigated for policies that reportedly allowed biological males to share overnight accommodations with girls without proper parental notification.

U.S. Secretary of Education Linda McMahon stated:

“This Administration will fight on every front to protect women’s and girls’ sports, intimate spaces, dormitories and living quarters, and fraternal and panhellenic organizations.”

As school board members, these actions represent a vital turning point. The restoration of Title IX’s original intent, protecting women on the basis of sex, is a bold step toward ensuring safety, fairness, and truth in education.

We will continue to monitor updates and share key resources throughout June as Title IX Month unfolds. Let’s celebrate this win and remain vigilant in upholding student rights in our local divisions.

May 7 was a meaningful and productive day for the School Board Member Alliance (SBMA), filled with strong advocacy, public engagement, and a celebration of educational excellence across the Commonwealth. Here’s a quick recap of what your SBMA leadership and advisors were up to:

️ On the National Stage:
SBMA Legal Advisor Josh Hetzler appeared on Fox & Friends alongside Seth Wolfe, whose son is under investigation for questioning the presence of a biological girl in the boys' locker room. Mr. Hetzler is representing three students in this case through the Founding Freedoms Law Center, raising serious legal concerns about Title IX enforcement, student speech, and due process.
Watch the segment here: Fox News Interview

️ Advocating for Fairness in Girls’ Sports:
SBMA Board Member Dr. Meg Scalia Bryce spoke at the Virginia High School League (VHSL) Board meeting, urging the board to establish clear, enforceable regulations to ensure boys are not permitted to compete in girls’ sports under the new VHSL policy.
Watch Dr. Bryce’s remarks here: VHSL Meeting Comments

Celebrating Educational Excellence:
SBMA Executive Director Shelly Norden traveled to Richmond to attend the 2025 Virginia Teacher of the Year Ceremony. Congratulations to Matthew Neale of Hidden Valley High School and all the Regional Teachers of the Year. Your dedication continues to inspire our work to support high-quality education throughout Virginia!
Watch Mr. Neale’s remarks here: Teacher of the Year Speech

Thank you for standing with us as we work to uphold fairness, transparency, and academic excellence in public education.

We are excited to share some wonderful news with you—Meg Scalia Bryce has officially joined the Board of Directors for the School Board Member Alliance!

Meg is a wife and mother of four who lives in Charlottesville, Virginia. She holds a Ph.D. in Cognitive Psychology from the University of Virginia, where she has also taught undergraduate Psychology. In 2023, Meg courageously ran for school board in Albemarle County; she has remained steadfast in her commitment to academic excellence and strong local governance.

In July 2024, Meg was nominated by Governor Glenn Youngkin to serve on the Virginia State Board of Education. While her confirmation was ultimately blocked by the Democratic majority, she served for six months with distinction—advocating for accountability in education, small government, and parental rights.

We are honored to welcome Meg to the SBMA Board, where her passion for education, principled leadership, and firsthand experience will be invaluable in furthering our mission to support and empower school board members across the Commonwealth.

Please join us in welcoming Meg Bryce to the team!

Warm regards,
Shelly Norden
Executive Director
School Board Member Alliance (SBMA)