{"formats":[{"name":"JSON","format":"json","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-json\/22.1-253.13_7.json"},{"name":"Plain Text","format":"text","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-text\/22.1-253.13_7.txt"},{"name":"XML","format":"xml","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-xml\/22.1-253.13_7.xml"},{"name":"HTML","format":"html","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-html\/22.1-253.13_7.html"}],"law_id":59824,"edition_id":1,"section_id":59824,"structure_id":15031,"section_number":"22.1-253.13:7","catch_line":"Standard 7. School board policies","history":"1988, cc. 645, 682, 754; 1990, c. 291; 1992, c. 591; 2004, cc. 939, 955; 2007, c. 234; 2008, cc. 474, 827; 2013, c. 301.","full_text":"A\n\nEach local school board shall develop policies and procedures to address complaints of sexual abuse of a student by a teacher or other school board employee.B\n\nEach local school board shall maintain and follow up-to-date policies. All school board policies shall be reviewed at least every five years and revised as needed.C\n\nEach local school board shall ensure that policies are developed giving consideration to the views of teachers, parents, and other concerned citizens and addressing the following:1\n\nA system of two-way communication between employees and the local school board and its administrative staff whereby matters of concern can be discussed in an orderly and constructive manner;2\n\nThe selection and evaluation of all instructional materials purchased by the school division, with clear procedures for handling challenged controversial materials;3\n\nThe standards of student conduct and attendance and enforcement procedures designed to provide that public education be conducted in an atmosphere free of disruption and threat to persons or property and supportive of individual rights;4\n\nSchool-community communications and community involvement;5\n\nGuidelines to encourage parents to provide instructional assistance to their children in the home, which may include voluntary training for the parents of children in grades K through three;6\n\nInformation about procedures for addressing concerns with the school division and recourse available to parents pursuant to § 22.1-87;7\n\nA cooperatively developed procedure for personnel evaluation appropriate to tasks performed by those being evaluated; and8\n\nGrievances, dismissals, etc., of teachers, and the implementation procedure prescribed by the General Assembly and the Board of Education, as provided in Article 3 (§ 22.1-306 et seq.) of Chapter 15, and the maintenance of copies of such procedures.D\n\nA current copy of all school division policies and regulations approved by the local school board, including the Student Conduct Policy, shall be posted on the division’s website and shall be available to employees and to the public. School boards shall ensure that printed copies of such policies and regulations are available as needed to citizens who do not have online access.E\n\nAn annual announcement shall be made in each division at the beginning of the school year and, for parents of students enrolling later in the academic year, at the time of enrollment, advising the public that the policies are available in such places.","order_by":null,"text":{"0":{"id":219091,"text":"Each local school board shall develop policies and procedures to address complaints of sexual abuse of a student by a teacher or other school board employee.","type":"section","prefixes":["A"],"prefix":"A","entire_prefix":"A","prefix_anchor":"A","level":1,"next_prefix":"B"},"1":{"id":219092,"text":"Each local school board shall maintain and follow up-to-date policies. All school board policies shall be reviewed at least every five years and revised as needed.","type":"section","prefixes":["B"],"prefix":"B","entire_prefix":"B","prefix_anchor":"B","level":1,"prior_prefix":"A","next_prefix":"C"},"2":{"id":219093,"text":"Each local school board shall ensure that policies are developed giving consideration to the views of teachers, parents, and other concerned citizens and addressing the following:","type":"section","prefixes":["C"],"prefix":"C","entire_prefix":"C","prefix_anchor":"C","level":1,"prior_prefix":"B","next_prefix":"C1"},"3":{"id":219094,"text":"A system of two-way communication between employees and the local school board and its administrative staff whereby matters of concern can be discussed in an orderly and constructive manner;","type":"section","prefixes":["C","1"],"prefix":"1","entire_prefix":"C1","prefix_anchor":"C1","level":2,"prior_prefix":"C","next_prefix":"C2"},"4":{"id":219095,"text":"The selection and evaluation of all instructional materials purchased by the school division, with clear procedures for handling challenged controversial materials;","type":"section","prefixes":["C","2"],"prefix":"2","entire_prefix":"C2","prefix_anchor":"C2","level":2,"prior_prefix":"C1","next_prefix":"C3"},"5":{"id":219096,"text":"The standards of student conduct and attendance and enforcement procedures designed to provide that public education be conducted in an atmosphere free of disruption and threat to persons or property and supportive of individual rights;","type":"section","prefixes":["C","3"],"prefix":"3","entire_prefix":"C3","prefix_anchor":"C3","level":2,"prior_prefix":"C2","next_prefix":"C4"},"6":{"id":219097,"text":"School-community communications and community involvement;","type":"section","prefixes":["C","4"],"prefix":"4","entire_prefix":"C4","prefix_anchor":"C4","level":2,"prior_prefix":"C3","next_prefix":"C5"},"7":{"id":219098,"text":"Guidelines to encourage parents to provide instructional assistance to their children in the home, which may include voluntary training for the parents of children in grades K through three;","type":"section","prefixes":["C","5"],"prefix":"5","entire_prefix":"C5","prefix_anchor":"C5","level":2,"prior_prefix":"C4","next_prefix":"C6"},"8":{"id":219099,"text":"Information about procedures for addressing concerns with the school division and recourse available to parents pursuant to § 22.1-87;","type":"section","prefixes":["C","6"],"prefix":"6","entire_prefix":"C6","prefix_anchor":"C6","level":2,"prior_prefix":"C5","next_prefix":"C7"},"9":{"id":219100,"text":"A cooperatively developed procedure for personnel evaluation appropriate to tasks performed by those being evaluated; and","type":"section","prefixes":["C","7"],"prefix":"7","entire_prefix":"C7","prefix_anchor":"C7","level":2,"prior_prefix":"C6","next_prefix":"C8"},"10":{"id":219101,"text":"Grievances, dismissals, etc., of teachers, and the implementation procedure prescribed by the General Assembly and the Board of Education, as provided in Article 3 (§ 22.1-306 et seq.) of Chapter 15, and the maintenance of copies of such procedures.","type":"section","prefixes":["C","8"],"prefix":"8","entire_prefix":"C8","prefix_anchor":"C8","level":2,"prior_prefix":"C7","next_prefix":"D"},"11":{"id":219102,"text":"A current copy of all school division policies and regulations approved by the local school board, including the Student Conduct Policy, shall be posted on the division’s website and shall be available to employees and to the public. School boards shall ensure that printed copies of such policies and regulations are available as needed to citizens who do not have online access.","type":"section","prefixes":["D"],"prefix":"D","entire_prefix":"D","prefix_anchor":"D","level":1,"prior_prefix":"C8","next_prefix":"E"},"12":{"id":219103,"text":"An annual announcement shall be made in each division at the beginning of the school year and, for parents of students enrolling later in the academic year, at the time of enrollment, advising the public that the policies are available in such places.","type":"section","prefixes":["E"],"prefix":"E","entire_prefix":"E","prefix_anchor":"E","level":1,"prior_prefix":"D"}},"ancestry":[{"id":15031,"edition_id":1,"name":"Standards of Quality","identifier":"13.2","label":"chapter","depth":2,"order_by":1,"parent_id":12823,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:51:37","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:51:37","permalink":{"id":182091,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":15031,"identifier":"13.2","token":"22.1\/13.2","url":"\/22.1\/13.2\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}},{"id":12823,"edition_id":1,"name":"Education","identifier":"22.1","label":"title","depth":1,"order_by":1,"parent_id":null,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:43:55","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:43:55","permalink":{"id":180949,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":12823,"identifier":"22.1","token":"22.1","url":"\/22.1\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}}],"structure_contents":[{"id":80280,"structure_id":15031,"section_number":"22.1-253.13:1","catch_line":"(Effective July 1, 2026) Standard 1. Instructional programs supporting the Standards of Learning and other educational objectives","url":"\/22.1-253.13_1\/","token":"22.1\/13.2\/22.1-253.13_1","metadata":false},{"id":64320,"structure_id":15031,"section_number":"22.1-253.13:10","catch_line":"Repealed","url":"\/22.1-253.13_10\/","token":"22.1\/13.2\/22.1-253.13_10","metadata":false},{"id":69198,"structure_id":15031,"section_number":"22.1-253.13:2","catch_line":"(Effective July 1, 2026) Standard 2. Instructional, administrative, and support personnel","url":"\/22.1-253.13_2\/","token":"22.1\/13.2\/22.1-253.13_2","metadata":false},{"id":65986,"structure_id":15031,"section_number":"22.1-253.13:3","catch_line":"(Effective July 1, 2026) Standard 3. Accreditation, other standards, assessments, and releases from state regulations","url":"\/22.1-253.13_3\/","token":"22.1\/13.2\/22.1-253.13_3","metadata":false},{"id":59319,"structure_id":15031,"section_number":"22.1-253.13:4","catch_line":"Standard 4. Student achievement and graduation requirements","url":"\/22.1-253.13_4\/","token":"22.1\/13.2\/22.1-253.13_4","metadata":false},{"id":59210,"structure_id":15031,"section_number":"22.1-253.13:5","catch_line":"(Effective July 1, 2026) Standard 5. Quality of classroom instruction and educational leadership","url":"\/22.1-253.13_5\/","token":"22.1\/13.2\/22.1-253.13_5","metadata":false},{"id":73396,"structure_id":15031,"section_number":"22.1-253.13:6","catch_line":"(Effective July 1, 2026) Standard 6. Planning and public involvement","url":"\/22.1-253.13_6\/","token":"22.1\/13.2\/22.1-253.13_6","metadata":false},{"id":59824,"structure_id":15031,"section_number":"22.1-253.13:7","catch_line":"Standard 7. School board policies","url":"\/22.1-253.13_7\/","token":"22.1\/13.2\/22.1-253.13_7","metadata":false},{"id":80188,"structure_id":15031,"section_number":"22.1-253.13:8","catch_line":"Compliance","url":"\/22.1-253.13_8\/","token":"22.1\/13.2\/22.1-253.13_8","metadata":false},{"id":57309,"structure_id":15031,"section_number":"22.1-253.13:9","catch_line":"Exemplar School Recognition Program","url":"\/22.1-253.13_9\/","token":"22.1\/13.2\/22.1-253.13_9","metadata":false}],"previous_section":{"id":73396,"structure_id":15031,"section_number":"22.1-253.13:6","catch_line":"(Effective July 1, 2026) Standard 6. Planning and public involvement","url":"\/22.1-253.13_6\/","token":"22.1\/13.2\/22.1-253.13_6","metadata":false},"next_section":{"id":80188,"structure_id":15031,"section_number":"22.1-253.13:8","catch_line":"Compliance","url":"\/22.1-253.13_8\/","token":"22.1\/13.2\/22.1-253.13_8","metadata":false},"metadata":false,"official_url":"https:\/\/law.lis.virginia.gov\/vacode\/22.1-253.13:7\/","history_text":"

This law was first created in 1988. The record of its establishment is cataloged in chapters 645, 682, and 754 of that year\u2019s edition of \u201cActs of Assembly,\u201d the annual state publication listing all changes made to the Code of Virginia in that year. Unfortunately, the 1988 \u201cActs\u201d aren\u2019t available online. It has been modified 6 times. Those modifications are cataloged by \u201cThe Acts of Assembly,\u201d a state publication, by year and chapter. Those modifications that can be read on the General Assembly\u2019s website will be linked accordingly. Those modifications are as follows: in 1990, chapter 291; in 1992, chapter 591; in 2004, chapters 939<\/a> and 955<\/a>; in 2007, chapter 234<\/a>; in 2008, chapters 474<\/a> and 827<\/a>; in 2013, chapter 301<\/a>.<\/p>","references":[{"id":64442,"section_number":"22.1-279.3:1","catch_line":"Reports of certain acts to school authorities; reports of certain acts by school authorities to parents; reports of certain acts by school authorities to law enforcement","order_by":null,"url":"\/22.1-279.3_1\/"},{"id":74451,"section_number":"22.1-279.6","catch_line":"Board of Education guidelines and model policies for codes of student conduct; school board regulations","order_by":null,"url":"\/22.1-279.6\/"},{"id":62812,"section_number":"22.1-70.2","catch_line":"Acceptable Internet use policies for public and private schools","order_by":null,"url":"\/22.1-70.2\/"}],"refers_to":[{"id":74295,"section_number":"22.1-306","catch_line":"Definitions","order_by":null,"url":"\/22.1-306\/"},{"id":57040,"section_number":"22.1-87","catch_line":"Judicial review","order_by":null,"url":"\/22.1-87\/"}],"permalink":{"id":182121,"object_type":"law","relational_id":59824,"identifier":"22.1-253.13:7","token":"22.1\/13.2\/22.1-253.13_7","url":"\/22.1-253.13_7\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1},"url":"\/22.1-253.13_7\/","token":"22.1\/13.2\/22.1-253.13_7","dublin_core":{"Title":"Standard 7. School board policies","Type":"Text","Format":"text\/html","Identifier":"\u00a7 22.1-253.13:7","Relation":"Code of Virginia"},"html":"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

A.<\/span> Each local school board<\/span> shall develop policies and procedures to address complaints of sexual abuse of a student by a teacher or other school board<\/span> employee. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

B.<\/span> Each local school board<\/span> shall maintain and follow up-to-date policies. All school board<\/span> policies shall be reviewed at least every five years and revised as needed. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

C.<\/span> Each local school board<\/span> shall ensure that policies are developed giving consideration to the views of teachers, parents<\/span><\/span>, and other concerned citizens and addressing the following: <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

1.<\/span> A system of two-way communication between employees and the local school board<\/span> and its administrative staff whereby matters of concern can be discussed in an orderly and constructive manner; <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

2.<\/span> The selection and evaluation of all instructional materials<\/span> purchased by the school division, with clear procedures for handling challenged controversial materials<\/span>; <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

3.<\/span> The standards of student conduct and attendance and enforcement procedures designed to provide that public education be conducted in an atmosphere free of disruption and threat to persons or property and supportive of individual rights; <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

4.<\/span> School-community communications and community involvement; <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

5.<\/span> Guidelines to encourage parents<\/span><\/span> to provide instructional assistance to their children in the home, which may include voluntary training for the parents<\/span><\/span> of children in grades K through three; <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

6.<\/span> Information about procedures for addressing concerns with the school division and recourse available to parents<\/span><\/span> pursuant to § 22.1-87<\/a>; <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

7.<\/span> A cooperatively developed procedure for personnel evaluation appropriate to tasks performed by those being evaluated; and <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

8.<\/span> Grievances, dismissals<\/span>, etc., of teachers, and the implementation procedure prescribed by the General Assembly and the Board of Education, as provided in Article 3 (§ 22.1-306<\/a> et seq.) of Chapter 15, and the maintenance of copies of such procedures. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

D.<\/span> A current copy of all school division policies and regulations approved by the local school board<\/span>, including the Student Conduct Policy, shall be posted on the division’s website and shall be available to employees and to the public. School boards<\/span> shall ensure that printed copies of such policies and regulations are available as needed to citizens who do not have online access. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

E.<\/span> An annual announcement shall be made in each division at the beginning of the school year and, for parents<\/span><\/span> of students enrolling later in the academic year, at the time of enrollment, advising the public that the policies are available in such places. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>","plain_text":" CODE OF VIRGINIA\n\nSTANDARD 7. SCHOOL BOARD POLICIES (\u00a7 22.1-253.13:7)\n\nA. Each local school board shall develop policies and procedures to address\ncomplaints of sexual abuse of a student by a teacher or other school board\nemployee.\n\nB. Each local school board shall maintain and follow up-to-date policies. All\nschool board policies shall be reviewed at least every five years and revised as\nneeded.\n\nC. Each local school board shall ensure that policies are developed giving\nconsideration to the views of teachers, parents, and other concerned citizens\nand addressing the following:\n\n 1. A system of two-way communication between employees and the local school\n board and its administrative staff whereby matters of concern can be discussed\n in an orderly and constructive manner;\n\n 2. The selection and evaluation of all instructional materials purchased by\n the school division, with clear procedures for handling challenged\n controversial materials;\n\n 3. The standards of student conduct and attendance and enforcement procedures\n designed to provide that public education be conducted in an atmosphere free\n of disruption and threat to persons or property and supportive of individual\n rights;\n\n 4. School-community communications and community involvement;\n\n 5. Guidelines to encourage parents to provide instructional assistance to\n their children in the home, which may include voluntary training for the\n parents of children in grades K through three;\n\n 6. Information about procedures for addressing concerns with the school\n division and recourse available to parents pursuant to § 22.1-87;\n\n 7. A cooperatively developed procedure for personnel evaluation appropriate to\n tasks performed by those being evaluated; and\n\n 8. Grievances, dismissals, etc., of teachers, and the implementation procedure\n prescribed by the General Assembly and the Board of Education, as provided in\n Article 3 (§ 22.1-306 et seq.) of Chapter 15, and the maintenance of\n copies of such procedures.\n\nD. A current copy of all school division policies and regulations approved by\nthe local school board, including the Student Conduct Policy, shall be posted on\nthe division’s website and shall be available to employees and to the\npublic. School boards shall ensure that printed copies of such policies and\nregulations are available as needed to citizens who do not have online access.\n\nE. An annual announcement shall be made in each division at the beginning of the\nschool year and, for parents of students enrolling later in the academic year,\nat the time of enrollment, advising the public that the policies are available\nin such places.\n\nHISTORY: 1988, cc. 645, 682, 754; 1990, c. 291; 1992, c. 591; 2004, cc. 939,\n955; 2007, c. 234; 2008, cc. 474, 827; 2013, c. 301.","edition":{"id":1,"name":"2025","slug":"2025","date_created":"2026-06-21 22:39:22","date_modified":"2026-06-21 22:39:22","current":1,"order_by":1,"last_import":null}}