The Arlington School Board is once again seeking state authorization to administer standardized tests in languages other than English.
The School Board’s 2026 General Assembly legislative package, which went to a vote yesterday (Thursday), carries over the Board’s request from the 2025 legislative session.
Boosters of the concept say that it will provide better data on the achievement levels of those still working to master English.
Earlier this year, a bill directing the Virginia Department of Education to prioritize efforts to make state testing available in non-English languages made it out of the House of Delegates on a 51-47 vote before dying in a Senate committee. The measure was patroned by Del. Laura Jane Cohen, a Democrat from Fairfax County.
In a fiscal analysis, the state Department of Education estimated an annual cost ranging from $3.7 million to $8.5 million to implement two additional testing languages.
The School Board’s legislative package also mentions support for “accreditation and accountability systems that reflect research regarding the length of time it takes English Learner students to acquire content area academic language skills.”
More funding approved for after-school programs: Arlington County Board members approved approximately $550,000 in funding for after-school programs at county schools and community centers on Saturday.
“It’s really critical to be able to offer these after-school programs,” Board Chair Takis Karantonis said.
Funding will go toward:
- Aspire! After-School Learning: $214,078 to augment programs for middle school students at Arlington Mill Community Center
- Phoenix Bikes: $181,079 to support programs that will serve up to 130 new students over the coming two years
- Edu-Futuro: $154,843 to expand the Emerging Leaders program at Kenmore Middle School and Wakefield High School
While county officials were able to find funding for the three grants, Board member Matt de Ferranti said budget constraints likely would limit the county’s ability to provide additional funding boosts over the short term.
Superintendent continues substitute teaching efforts: Arlington Public Schools Superintendent Francisco Durán returned to his occasional tradition of substitute teacher service earlier this month.
The superintendent’s first day of teaching this school year came Oct. 10, when he spent the day attending to a high school Spanish class.
“It’s uplifting to see the learning and support students had,” Durán told School Board members, while recognizing the county’s new teachers.
