VRA Test

The VRA test measures candidates' knowledge and ability to teach reading effectively. When the exams were first developed, in 2003, one of their goals was to develop a reading assessment in accordance with the English Standards of Learning for Virginia Public Schools. Another of their goals was to test candidates' knowledge of how to teach the five key components of effective reading: phonics, phonemic awareness, vocabulary, comprehension, and fluency.

The VRA exams help identify teaching candidates who are able to perform the job of an elementary (preK-3 or preK-6) teacher, a special education teacher, or a reading specialist in Virginia public schools.

Two VRA exams are used to evaluate teacher candidates. A description of each follows:

• VRA test for Elementary and Special Education teachers: This exam is designed to measure candidates' preparation in the five key components of effective reading instruction: phonics, phonemic awareness, vocabulary, comprehension, and fluency. It consists of approximately 90 multiple-choice items and four constructed-response items.
• VRA test for Reading Specialists: This exam is designed to measure candidates' preparation in the five key components of effective reading instruction: phonics, phonemic awareness, vocabulary, comprehension, and fluency. It consists of approximately 90 multiple-choice items and two constructed-response items, including a case study.

The VRA exams are criterion-referenced, which means that they measure a candidate's ability in relation to an established standard rather than in relation to the performance of others. The exams are also objective-based, which means that the questions are matched to objectives set up by practicing Virginia educators and teacher educators.

By passing the VRA exams, elementary teacher candidates satisfy the reading component of the teaching skills requirement mandated by the federal No Child Left Behind Act.