VA HB299

Eliminates the through-year growth assessment system for reading and mathematics in grades three through eight, which previously required beginning-of-year, mid-year, and end-of-year assessments with a 150% time cap compared to single end-of-year tests

Establishes new requirements for mandatory and permissive local alternative assessments, including that summative performance assessments must be completed in supervised, secure settings with digital security measures such as lockdown browsers

Prohibits teachers from grading local alternative assessments for verified credits if they taught the student in any class or subject area during that school year

Requires end-of-course Standards of Learning assessments or local alternative assessments to be administered no earlier than two weeks prior to the end of the applicable course, grade level, or academic quarter/semester for students in grades seven through 12

Allows school boards to request exemptions from the Board to administer end-of-course Standards of Learning assessments to individual students, limited to no more than 5% of students in a specific subject area and grade level for any assessment administration period