For VA to be a leader in academic achievement for all students the policies need to be consistent with that goal.  As such, VA should be a leader in the number of schools days and minimum hours of instruction required.   VA should weight the accreditation system towards mastery to ensure that all students are hitting the minimum targets.  VA should reward schools that provide advanced coursework as that meets the need of the more advanced students.  VA should have an easy to understand, transparent and honest measure for each school so that parents and community members are informed and can help improve the schools.