The Virginia Board of Education is continuing to evaluate the factors involved in school accreditation.

The Virginia Board of Education reviewed a presentation stressing the need for early childhood education during their work session Wednesday.

Chronic absenteeism was top of mind for the Virginia Board of Education while discussing ways to measure schools' success Wednesday.

Millions of dollars are headed to Danville Public Schools to help offset the cost of several construction projects.

The Virginia Board of Education is recognizing school districts in Southwest Virginia for excellence.

The Department of Education is considering taking out chronic absenteeism as a factor that determines a schools accreditation.

The Virginia Department of Education is under scrutiny for proposed revisions to the History and Social Science Standards of Learning.

The Virginia Board of Education is making changes to its history and social science curriculum, reports WWBT.

Here's a look at some of the stories we'll be following today as they make headlines in Southwest Virginia.

Here's a look at some of the stories we'll be following today as they make headlines across the country and Southwest Virginia.

The unanimous vote came during a Thursday morning meeting, that included the Virginia Board of Education Board of Directors, as well as school and government leaders for both Alleghany County and the city of Covington. Members of the Virginia Department of Education Board of Directors, as well as school, government leaders in Alleghany County and Covington react to the news of the resolution passing to merge the two school divisions on Jan. 28, 2021. (Virginia Department of Education)Acting Superintendent of Alleghany County Public Schools Sherman Callahan released this statement following the move’s approval:We did receive approval and are excited to proceed on with consolidation. Both men represent all of Alleghany County and Covington. Both Covington leaders, as well as Alleghany County leaders, approved the merger back in September.

Both school boards and governing bodies agreed to the merger earlier this year, following the recommendation of the Joint Committee on School Consolidation. The Virginia Department of Health holds COVID-19 testing clinics today. One clinic runs from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. at the Craig County Health Center with another from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the New River Valley Mall. The Central Virginia Planning District Commission holds a public information meeting about the Route 24 Corridor Study in Rustburg. Kingdom Point Church in Martinsville will give out Thanksgiving food boxes today.

Virginia has added new requirements when it comes to the subjects of history and social science. On Thursday, the Virginia Board of Education approved a series of edits to implement recommendations from Governor Ralph Northam’s Commission on African American History Education in the Commonwealth. “Incorporating additional context about African American history into the larger historical narrative has never been more important. Another recommendation approved by the board is the addition of content about the history of lynching in America to the high school Virginia and U.S. History course. The review will culminate with the adoption in 2022 of new history and social science standards.

You can drop off supplies today from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. at the Sam’s Club on Wards Road in Lynchburg. The clinic runs from 7:30 a.m. to 10 a.m. at the Rockbridge Regional Communication Center in Buena Vista. In Craig County, there is a clinic starting at 4 p.m. at the Craig County Health Center. The New River Health District holds a drive-thru flu vaccine clinic today. The Virginia Board of Education will discuss amending its history and social science standards.

ROANOKE, Va. Theres free COVID-19 testing in Goshen today. The Virginia Board of Education will meet today and review a memorandum of understanding with Danville City Schools. The school system has asked the state to review its programs and offer support for improvement. Valley Metro holds an open house today to review plans for its transit center. The Greater Roanoke Transit Company plans to move the bus station to Salem Avenue.

RICHMOND, Va. - The Virginia Board of Education has released new Standards of Quality for the commonwealth's public schools. According to NBC 12, the Standards of Quality lay out the foundation for instructional programs and support services that all schools are required to provide. They also drive about 85% of state funding for school divisions. The new standards reportedly work to promote education equity, support teacher recruitment and retention, and help students and schools reach the board's graduation and accreditation requirements. Revisions from past standards include consolidating some existing state programs into a single, expanded funding stream known as the Equity Fund, within the Standards of Quality.

SOL test results come out soon. High school students had to take fewer tests last school year, after the Virginia Board of Education reduced the number. They say looking at this year's results, you have to be careful comparing them to previous years because of the significant revisions to the Virginia accountability standards. 10 News asked if more changes could be coming to reduce the number of SOL tests students take. They say most students earn an Advanced Studies Degree where they have to take and pass multiple tests in science, history and math.

This year, high school students have to take fewer tests after the Virginia Board of Education reduced the number. Copyright 2019 by WSLS 10 - All rights reserved.