The head of the Virginia Department of Education has told state legislators she's confident the Board of Education will agree with her recommendation to keep the third-grade history and social-science accountability test.

State Superintendent Patricia Wright told the House Education Committee on Monday she thinks the board won't oppose her withdrawal of a controversial proposal to drop the third-grade history Standards of Learning exam.

The board was to vote this week on the measure, which drew heated criticism from history education advocates and lawmakers. Wright notified the board and school superintendents Friday that she was withdrawing the proposal.

Committee members voiced their support of Wright's decision, and heard from several speakers who urged the state to keep the test.