Office of Student Assessment, Research, and Accountability

The Office of Student Assessment, Research, and Accountability (OSARA) coordinates the use of student assessment data along with research to inform the division's accountability and program evaluation work. The office is part of the Department of Strategy, Planning, and Learning under the Office of the Chief of Staff in the division's organizational structure. 

The office strives to cultivate positive and purposeful assessment experiences for Fairfax County students, families, teachers, and school leaders while ensuring compliance with federal, state, and local guidelines. It fosters the use of research and data analysis to inform school and division improvement.

OSARA was created in August 2025, merging the Office of Assessment and Reporting with the Office of Research and Program Evaluation and expanding to include region data supports. The Office of Student Assessment, Research, and Accountability is organized into teams addressing core areas of support and service to the FCPS community:

Research and Program Evaluation

The research and program evaluation team is part of the Office of Research and Program Evaluation (ORPE) , which sits under the OSARA structure. This team supports a wide range of activities from objective accountability reporting on FCPS instructional programs and services to screening requests to conduct research and collect data within FCPS. T he research and program evaluation team is based out of the Gatehouse Administrative Center.

Analysis, Accountability, and Region Data Support

The assessment analysis and accountability team focuses on applying division assessment results and other student outcome measures to promote internal and external accountability and data literacy. This team communicates expectations and outcomes of the state’s revised accountability systems for compliance-based accreditation and the School Performance and Support Framework (SPSF). Additionally, this team provides direct support to region leaders and schools to support improvement efforts. T he assessment analysis and accountability team is based out of the Gatehouse Administrative Center.

Assessment Policy Administration and Support

The assessment policy administration and support team is dedicated to oversight and implementation of division assessment policy. This team supports administration of annual assessments by providing guidance, professional learning, tools, and direct support to school staff to ensure that all students have appropriate assessment experiences. The policy administration and support team is based out of the Willow Oaks Administrative Center.

Assessment Operations and Data Management

The assessment operations and data management team is responsible for operational resources, records management, and reporting for division assessment data. The team provides logistical and systems support necessary to ensure valid assessment results are reported internally to school and program leaders and externally to the Virginia Department of Education (VDOE) and students’ families.  The operations and data management team is based out of the Test Distribution Center (TDC) at the Johnie Forte Support Center.