HB 1957: SOL assessments & related student assessment methods; assessment development, etc., reform.

Official summary

Abstract published by the legislature (via Open States). Text as published by the legislature; reproduced verbatim.

Board of Education; Standards of Learning assessments and related student assessment methods; assessment development, implementation, and administration reform. Modifies provisions relating to assessment methods for determining the level of achievement of the Standards of Learning objectives by all students, including (i) requirements relating to assessment administration aimed at maximizing instructional time and optimizing time used for assessment administration; (ii) criteria and guidelines for the structure and content of Standards of Learning assessments and alternative assessments developed by local school boards, including criteria for the types of assessment items that shall be included; (iii) provisions relating to eligibility and timelines for students to retake assessments; and (iv) the scoring of Standards of Learning assessments and related assessments, including a requirement that all such assessments be scored on a 100-point scale. The bill contains a provision exempting from the requirement that all end-of-course assessments be administered no earlier than two weeks prior to the last day of the school year any assessments administered as a part of a competency-based assessment system. The bill requires the Board of Education to provide any teacher who participates in the scoring of Standards of Learning assessments professional development points toward renewal of his license for the time spent scoring such assessments. The bill also requires the Board of Education to develop and make available to each school board certain templates and guidelines relating to assessment content and structure and assessment scoring. Certain provisions of the bill do not become effective unless reenacted by the 2026 Session of the General Assembly and certain others have a delayed effective date of July 1, 2026.

Sponsors

Sponsors by party (alphabetical): Democratic 2

“Support” is shown only as formal sponsorship recorded by the legislature. Roll-call votes are available on the official bill page.

Recent official actions

1. May 2, 2025Acts of Assembly Chapter text (CHAP0675)
2. May 2, 2025Approved by Governor-Chapter 675 (Effective - see bill)
3. April 2, 2025Governor's Action Deadline 11:59 p.m., May 2, 2025
4. April 2, 2025Communicated to Governor
5. April 2, 2025Signed by President as reenrolled
6. April 2, 2025Signed by Speaker as reenrolled
7. April 2, 2025Reenrolled bill text (HB1957ER2)
8. April 2, 2025Reenrolled
9. April 2, 2025Governor's recommendation adopted in-part
10. April 2, 2025Senate concurred in #'s 2-12 Governor's recommendation (40-Y 0-N)
11. April 2, 2025House concurred in Governor's recommendation #'s 2-12 (88-Y 5-N)
12. April 2, 2025House rejected Governor's recommendation #1 (33-Y 61-N)

Showing 12 most recent of 40 actions. Full history