Virginia

Virginia’s K-12 History and Social Science Update: What Educators Need to Know


Big news for Virginia educators: The Virginia Department of Education has officially adopted the 2023 History and Social Science Standards of Learning (SOL), replacing the 2015 version. This comprehensive update impacts grades K through 12 and aims to deepen student understanding, sharpen inquiry skills, and better connect instruction across grade levels. If you’re teaching social studies in Virginia, here’s everything you need to know.

Continue reading below to see sample questions aligned to these new standards directly from the Progress Learning platform

Why the Standards Changed

The new standards reflect years of feedback from educators, community members, historians, and education experts. This revision wasn’t just about rearranging content—it was about ensuring that students graduate with a stronger grasp of key historical events, civic processes, and economic principles, all while improving their critical thinking, analysis, and research skills.

The 2023 update emphasizes:

  • Vertical alignment from elementary through high school
  • Inquiry-based learning with greater use of supporting questions
  • Integrated skill development in analysis, sourcing, interpretation, and civic decision-making
  • Real-world application through the 3E Readiness Framework (Enrollment, Enlistment, Employment)

Why These Changes Matter

At the heart of these changes is a commitment to excellence, rigor, and civic readiness. The new standards are built to prepare students not just to succeed on assessments, but to think critically, engage thoughtfully, and contribute meaningfully to society.

The updated standards reaffirm core civic values:

  • Individual liberty and representative government
  • Free enterprise and rule of law
  • The balance between America’s exceptionalism and its imperfections
  • The vital importance of informed, civil participation

They also bring a broader global and historical context, acknowledging both major achievements and difficult truths—from democratic revolutions to the horrors of slavery, totalitarianism, and genocide.

Key Features of the 2023 Standards

Expanded and Refined Skills Development
Every grade level begins with a clearly defined “Skills” section. These are no longer standalone expectations—they’re embedded into daily instruction. Students are expected to:

  • Analyze primary and secondary sources
  • Synthesize evidence
  • Construct arguments based on research
  • Apply geographic, economic, and civic reasoning

Deeper Content and Contextual Understanding
The standards bring in more inclusive and relevant content. For example: 

  • Grade 5: Highlights West African cultures, Indigenous histories, and the complexities of early America.
  • Grade 6: Explores Reconstruction, civil rights, and industrialization through a broader lens.
  • Civics and Economics (Middle School): Expands on the Constitution, civic duties, and economic decision-making.
  • Government (High School): Prioritizes foundational U.S. documents, democratic philosophy, and civic engagement.

Reorganized for Clarity and Coherence
Scattered and redundant sub-standards have been streamlined. The standards now follow a more logical, vertically aligned structure, making it easier for educators to build on prior knowledge and track progression across grade levels.

The 3E Readiness Framework
Every instructional guide integrates the 3E Readiness Framework—connecting learning to real-world outcomes in Enrollment (college), Enlistment (military), or Employment. It’s a direct link between social studies and students’ future opportunities.

What’s New—Grade by Grade

Kindergarten

  • New Skill Sets: Students now engage in economic reasoning and analyze a variety of sources (K.1).
  • Community & Culture: Greater emphasis on early communities, changemakers, and local geography.
  • Civic Behavior: Citizenship skills now explicitly include responsibility, kindness, and classroom decision-making.

Grade 1

  • State Symbols & Holidays: Broader treatment of Virginia traditions and civic symbols (1.2, 1.3).
  • Mapping & Geography: More emphasis on maps, cardinal directions, and geographic impact (1.6–1.7).
  • Changemakers: A stronger focus on historically significant Virginians including barrier breakers (1.5).

Grade 2

  • Indigenous Studies: Expanded treatment of tribal sovereignty and geographic context (2.5).
  • Innovators & Reformers: Students study a wider range of influential Americans (2.10).
  • Civic Responsibilities: New standards link citizenship to democratic ideals and freedom (2.1).

Grade 3

  • Geography & Culture: Students apply geography to analyze historical societies (3.2–3.3).
  • Civics: Expanded expectations around rights, responsibilities, and digital citizenship (3.1).
  • Global History Foundations: Ancient civilizations now analyzed through political, economic, and social lenses (3.4–3.9).

Grade 4 – Virginia Studies

  • More Inclusive History: Indigenous and African American contributions are more fully integrated (VS.2–VS.4).
  • Economic & Government Concepts: Emphasis on trade, taxation, and local governance throughout Virginia’s development.
  • Changemakers: Figures like Barbara Johns and L. Douglas Wilder appear prominently (VS.9–VS.11).

Grade 5 – U.S. History to 1865

  • Expanded Perspectives: Students explore resistance to slavery, the founding ideals, and contradictions (USI.1).
  • Geographic Reasoning: Content now links location to historical change (USI.2).
  • Foundational Skills: Evidence-based argumentation and primary source analysis are key (Skills USIa–i).

Grade 6 – U.S. History 1865 to Present

  • Inquiry Focus: Students develop and answer historical questions with supporting evidence (Skills USIIa–h).
  • Broader Historical Themes: New emphasis on civil rights, immigration, and global conflict resolution (USII.7–USII.10).
  • Economic Decision-Making: Introduced earlier and explored in more depth (USIIg).

Grade 7 – Civics and Economics

  • Civic Engagement: Students now examine civic participation in a digital world (Skills CEh).
  • Government Function: Focus on how decisions are made and policies enacted (CE.6–CE.9).
  • Expanded Media Literacy: Students assess media bias, misinformation, and propaganda (Skills CEf–CEg).

Grade 8 – World Geography

  • Contemporary Relevance: Emphasis on globalization, sustainability, and migration (WG.5–WG.7).
  • Cultural Competency: Deeper understanding of religion, language, and cultural regions (WG.3).
  • Analytical Mapping: Greater focus on geospatial tools and applications (Skills WGa–i).

High School – U.S. History

  • Critical Skills: Students analyze sources, timelines, and construct evidence-based arguments (Skills VUSa–j).
  • Expanded Historical Perspectives: New standards include Bacon’s Rebellion [VUS.4.c], Virginia During Reconstruction [VUS.9.f], and the Readjuster Party [VUS.9.g], deepening understanding of early resistance and postwar political transformation.

Here’s an example of a question from our item bank aligned to the new [VUS.9.f] standard.


  • Higher Education & Civic Progress: Students examine the impact of Colleges and Universities [VUS.10.h] on social and economic development.

Here’s an example of a question from our item bank aligned to the new [VUS.10.h] standard.


  • Military Contributions & Civil Rights: Specific focus on Heroic WWII Units [VUS.14.d] like the Tuskegee Airmen connects military service to broader equality movements.

Here’s an example of a question from our item bank aligned to the new [VUS.14.d] standard.


  • Modern Events & Voices: Coverage now extends to 21st-century conflicts (VUS.16–VUS.17) and highlights diverse changemakers such as James Armistead Lafayette and César Chávez.

High School – U.S. Government

  • Democratic Foundations: Students analyze the Constitution, Declaration of Independence, and foundational principles (GOVT.1–GOVT.3).
  • Civic Engagement: Expanded focus on public policy, political ideology, and citizen participation (GOVT.6–GOVT.9).
  • Digital Literacy: Students evaluate sources, identify bias, and analyze propaganda in digital and traditional media (GOVTj).

How Progress Learning Supports the Transition

At Progress Learning, we’ve already begun aligning our 3-12 content to Virginia’s 2023 standards. We offer:

  • Pre-built and custom assessments for grades 3-12
  • Scaffolded content and study plans based on student needs
  • Progress monitoring and detailed reports to track mastery
  • A robust item bank with over 200,000 standards-aligned questions

These changes are more than a refresh—they represent a bold, student-centered rethinking of what it means to teach history and social science in Virginia. Whether you’re planning, teaching, or assessing—we’re here to help your team navigate the shift.

For more details, visit the Virginia Department of Education’s website: 2023 History and Social Science Standards of Learning



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