Virginia has established a singular system of program performance standards and measures for evaluating secondary and postsecondary vocational education programs supported by federal, state, and local funds. Academic achievement will eventually be measured by identifying the gain in basic and advanced skills in mathematics, reading, and communication demonstrated by vocational completers on criterion-referenced tests. At the postsecondary level, academic achievement is determined by identifying the gain on a standardized or locally developed academic measure or by measuring the successful completion of academic courses required in any occupational-technical education curriculum. No state standards are established.
Occupational competency is defined as occupational-technical and employability knowledge and skills.
Occupational competence is measured by determining the percentage of vocational completers mastering the occupational competencies equal to or exceeding those required for entrance into career-sustaining employment, approved apprenticeship programs, or appropriate postsecondary education as determined by a locally validated competency list reviewed by the local vocational advisory committee. Access to vocational education programs by members of targeted groups is determined at the secondary level by local education agencies demonstrating full compliance with the incentives and adjustments required under the Perkins Act and other related legislation. At the postsecondary level, institutions are to demonstrate that the representation of identified target groups and special populations in occupational-technical programs of study is proportional to their membership in relevant community college populations. For both secondary and postsecondary programs, success in vocational education is measured by applying the academic achievement and occupational competence measures to targeted special population groups. Those programs not meeting one or more of the standards prepares a program improvement plan.