Virginia Senate Bill SB760

Virginia 2022 Regular Session

• Introduced: 1/21/22
• Refer: 1/21/22
• Report Pass: 2/3/22

Caption

Performance-based assessments; Department of Education to develop a task bank.

Impact

The implementation of SB760 is aimed at improving the quality and standardization of performance assessments across Virginia's educational institutions. By creating a centralized task bank, the state hopes to ensure that assessments are not only aligned with educational standards but also that they are equitable and relevant to the skills students need to develop. This move may enhance the overall educational assessment process, making it consistent across various school divisions.

Summary

Senate Bill 760 mandates the Virginia Department of Education to develop a comprehensive task bank for performance-based assessments. This task bank will consist of vetted assessment tasks that align with the Department's standards, specifically the Virginia Quality Criteria Review Tool for Performance Assessments and the skills outlined in the Profile of a Graduate. School divisions within the state will have the flexibility to select assessment tasks from this bank to tailor their performance evaluations accordingly.

Contention

While the bill has garnered support for its approach to standardized performance assessments, it has not been without contention. Critics may raise concerns about the potential limitations this task bank could place on teachers' creativity and flexibility in crafting assessments that cater to their specific student populations. There may also be debates regarding the adequacy and comprehensiveness of the tasks in the bank, as well as the resources allocated for the development and maintenance of the task bank by the Department of Education.