Standards of Accreditation
Section 22.1-253.13:3 B of the Code of Virginia requires the Virginia Board of Education promulgate regulations establishing standards for accreditation. These regulations govern public schools operated by local school boards providing instruction to students as defined in 8 VAC 20-131-5. Other schools licensed under other state statutes are exempt from these requirements.
The standards for the accreditation of public schools in Virginia are designed to ensure that an effective educational program is established and maintained in Virginia's public schools. The accreditation standards:
- Provide an essential foundation of educational programs of high quality in all schools for all students.
- Encourage continuous appraisal and improvement of the school program for the purpose of raising student achievement.
- Foster public confidence.
- Assure recognition of Virginia's public schools by other institutions of learning.
- Establish a means of determining the effectiveness of schools.
Standards For Accrediting Public Schools in Virginia
Revisions to the Regulations Establishing Standards for Accrediting Public Schools in Virginia were adopted by the Board of Education on February 19, 2009, and became effective July 31, 2009. As a result of legislative action taken during the 2010 General Assembly, a number of provisions in these regulations will not become effective until the 2011-2012 school year.
For more information, please read Superintendent’s Memo No. 112-10, issued May 7, 2010 and view the PowerPoint presentation and fact sheets below.
Regulations Establishing the Standards For Accrediting Public Schools in Virginia (PDF) Effective July 31, 2009
Other resources: Overview of Revisions – July 2009 (PPT)
