The Virginia Essentialized Standards of Learning (VESOL) are the revised academic content standards for students with the most significant cognitive disabilities who are enrolled in grades 3-8 and high school in Virginia. The VESOLs were last revised in 2021, and include the reading, mathematics, and science standards that we currently use in our classroom instruction.
Newly revised reading and mathematics VESOLs (2025) are now available on the Virginia Department of Education website for your review.
Which standards should I use?
You should continue to use the 2021 standards during the 2025-2026 school year. The VAAP tests will assess students in these standards during the spring 2026 test administration.
During the 2026-2027 school year, students will be instructed and assessed in science using the 2021 VESOL and in reading and mathematics using the new 2025 VESOLs.
Where can I preview the new VESOLs?
• Virginia Essentialized Standards of Learning in Reading
• Virginia Essentialized Standards of Learning in Mathematics
Are any other resources available?
- Crosswalk for the 2025 Reading Virginia Essentialized Standards of Learning (Word, PDF)
- Crosswalk for the 2025 Mathematics Virginia Essentialized Standards of Learning (Word, PDF)
Coming soon: VDOE will provide a training webinar to support educators in understanding the updates. As a subscriber to the T-TAC ODU mailing list, you will be among the first to know as soon as we get confirmation.
What has changed?
You may notice increased rigor in many of the standards. The 2025 standards also include more robust suggestions for complexity continuum.
Sample comparison of Reading VESOLs
Sample comparison of Math VESOLs
Where do I start?
1) Continue to incorporate the current VESOLs in your instruction.
2) Take some time to familiarize yourself with the new standards to facilitate a successful transition for next school year.
3) Remember that T-TAC ODU is here to support you. Reach out to Intellectual Disabilities Specialist, Daniel Biegun, with questions. dbiegun@odu.edu