Sen. Barbara Favola

Maddy summarySR 251 is a Senate resolution celebrating the life of William Gerald Massengill. It does not create new laws or affect any policies or individuals; it is a ceremonial resolution honoring a person. The resolution was introduced, passed by the Senate, and engrossed on February 13, 2025, as a formal expression of respect. No concrete policy changes or mechanisms are involved.

Maddy summaryThis resolution honors the life and contributions of Thomas S. Whipple. It passed the Senate on February 6, 2025, and the House on February 10, 2025, and is now awaiting the governor's action. As a ceremonial resolution, it does not create new laws or affect any policies or individuals.

Maddy summaryThis is a ceremonial resolution (SJ 323) commending Billy Wagner, a notable individual, for his contributions. It does not create new laws or affect any policies, as it is a formal expression of recognition. The resolution passed unanimously in both the Senate (February 6) and House (February 10) by voice vote. It was finalized as passed on February 11.

Maddy summaryThis resolution (SJ 340) is a ceremonial measure honoring Benjamin "Rod" Rodriguez. It does not create new laws or affect any individuals, groups, or policies. The bill passed both the Senate (Feb 6) and House (Feb 10) without substantive changes, as is standard for commemorative resolutions. It serves only to formally recognize Rodriguez's life through legislative acknowledgment.

Maddy summaryThis is a ceremonial resolution (SJ 336) honoring Dr. Peter John Kemp's life. It does not create legal obligations or affect any policies or individuals. The resolution formally expresses the legislature's commemoration of Dr. Kemp's contributions, as passed by both the Senate and House on February 6-11, 2025. It is a non-binding gesture of respect with no substantive impact.

Maddy summaryThis is a ceremonial resolution honoring the late state legislator Frank Miller Ruff, Jr. It does not create new laws or affect any policies or people. The resolution formally commemorates his service and life through a symbolic tribute. As a non-binding resolution, it has no practical impact beyond recognition.

Standards of Quality; Standards of Learning assessments in languages other than English; development and administration. Requires (i) the Board of Education to develop Standards of Learning assessments in native languages other than English that are most commonly spoken in the Commonwealth; (ii) each school board to make available any such native language assessment to any English language learner student who speaks any such language natively and is identified as having limited English proficiency; (iii) the English language learner faculty at any such student's school to make the final determination as to whether administration of any such native language assessment is appropriate; and (iv) the provisions of the bill to be implemented by the beginning of the 2025-2026 school year. Finally, the bill directs the Department of Education to submit to the U.S. Department of Education by August 1, 2025 any amendments to its consolidated plan under the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965, as amended by the Every Student Succeeds Act, that are necessary to implement its provisions.

Public schools; Virginia School Improvement Grant Program established; report. Establishes the Virginia School Improvement Grant Program (the Program) for the purpose of providing additional support to public schools identified based on their school performance score as "off track" or "needs intensive support," as those terms are defined by the bill, by awarding three-year grants to eligible schools for the development and implementation of school improvement plans. The bill (i) provides that the Department of Education shall be responsible for the administration of the Program and that the Office of School Improvement shall be responsible for the implementation and oversight of the Program; (ii) provides that any public school identified as "off track" or "needs intensive support" is eligible to apply for such three-year grant disbursed in annual installments; and (iii) permits any participating school that is identified as "off track" or "needs intensive support" for the school year coinciding with or subsequent to such participating school's final year in the three-year grant period to reapply for another grant pursuant to the Program. The bill requires any eligible school, in order to receive any grant funds pursuant to the Program, to develop and submit a school improvement plan or, in the case of a participating school receiving a grant upon reapplication pursuant to clause (iii), a revised school improvement plan outlining specific strategies for improving academic outcomes and addressing identified performance gaps for such school.

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 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.

Maddy summaryThis bill (SJ 267) is a ceremonial resolution commending the National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL), a nonpartisan organization that supports state legislators. It does not create new laws or affect any policies, people, or programs. The resolution simply expresses formal recognition and appreciation for NCSL's work in strengthening state legislative governance. As a procedural resolution, it has no binding effect and serves only as a symbolic gesture.