The Evolution of School Accountability in Virginia: Research, Early Results, and Implications for Policy and Practice

Authors

• David Naff, Virginia Commonwealth UniversityFollow
• William L. Parker, Virginia Commonwealth UniversityFollow
• Meleah Ellison, Virginia Commonwealth UniversityFollow
• Amy Bollt, Virginia Commonwealth UniversityFollow
• Andrea Herndon, Hanover County Public SchoolsFollow
• Paula Muente Mizushima, University of VirginiaFollow
• T'Airra Belcher, Virginia Commonwealth UniversityFollow
• Lauren Grob, Communities in Schools of RichmondFollow
• Lindsay Duncan, Virginia Commonwealth UniversityFollow
• Kelly Denny, Virginia Commonwealth UniversityFollow
• Emily Leavitt, University of VirginiaFollow
• Gyun Min Jung, Virginia Commonwealth UniversityFollow
• Theresa Thompson, Virginia Commonwealth UniversityFollow
• Sandra Rucker, Virginia Commonwealth UniversityFollow
• Meredith Collier, University of VirginiaFollow
• Jamelle Simmons, Virginia Commonwealth UniversityFollow
• Samantha Hope, Virginia Commonwealth UniversityFollow

Document Type

Article

Original Publication Date

2026

Date of Submission

October 2026

Abstract

This MERC research and policy review focuses on the School Performance and Support Framework (SPSF), Virginia's school accountability system. It synthesizes relevant research literature, student outcome data, and information about accountability systems in other states to provide context, projections, and potential next steps for the SPSF. It concludes with implications and recommendations for state policymakers and education leaders, school boards and division leaders, and school leaders and educators.

Recommended Citation

Naff, D., Parker, L., Ellison, M., Bollt, A., Herndon, A., Muente Mizushima, P., Belcher, T., Grob, L., Duncan, L., Denny, K., Leavitt, E., Jung, G., Bradford, K., Thompson, T., Rucker, S., Collier, M., Simmons, J., & Hope, S. (2026). The Evolution of School Accountability in Virginia: Research, Early Results, and Implications for Policy and Practice. Richmond, VA: Metropolitan Educational Research Consortium.

Is Part Of

VCU MERC Publications