In 2021, the Virginia General Assembly introduced the expectation for new state "through-year" assessments in elementary and middle schools. Beginning in 2022-23, students in grades 3-8 take the Virginia Growth Assessment (VGA) in fall and winter. The purpose of these assessments is to measure student growth and progress in reading and mathematics content standards. 

Testing Dates:

What content is on the VGA?

• The focus for VGA test content depends on the testing window:
  • Fall VGA tests primarily address content standards from the reading and mathematics courses the student took last year;
  • Winter VGA tests primarily assess content standards for the reading and mathematics courses the student is taking this year. 
• As detailed in the test blueprints, VGA tests ask questions on standards across the entire curriculum for the school year. This means that when students take the Fall and Winter VGA tests, they have not yet received instruction for all the assessed standards. 
• The online computer-adaptive VGA tests may also provide some questions for the grade level below and/or above.

How are VGA Results Used?

• There is no “passing” or “failing” outcome for the VGA. 
• Results give teachers information about student strengths and areas for support. 
• VGA results are also used within Standards of Accreditation calculations for the school. 
• A Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) resource for understanding VGA results can be found on the VGA Score Reports webpage.