by Jackie Nunnery
LANCASTER—Superintendent Jessica Davis on Monday, October 6, shared the new cut scores or benchmarks recently approved by the Virginia Board of Education.
According to a September 25 announcement, the new benchmarks represent “a renewed commitment to rigor, transparency and higher student outcomes across the Commonwealth.” The changes also are meant to align closer to the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) framework, also known as the Nation’s Report Card. The new scores will take effect in spring 2026.
Cut scores are the minimum score students must achieve for particular performance levels—below basic, basic, proficient and advanced. Where a score of 400 used to be considered proficient, students will now have to score about 30 points higher, depending on grade and subject matter.
“These new scores are a concern,” Davis told the school board. “I believe in raising the bar and keeping the bar high, I think you need to always do that. I’m just not sure that….
