Superintendent of Public Instruction James Lane said the focus of Standards of Learning testing this spring should be on collecting data to identify the academic needs of students and inform local and state efforts to help students recover from the impact of the coronavirus pandemic.
In a video message to schools and parents, Lane said performance data from spring SOL testing will play a critical role as schools design instructional and remedial programs to help students catch up after a year of school closures and, in most divisions, extended periods of virtual instruction. Lane said when schools review test results this spring and summer their focus should be on student needs, and not on accreditation or teacher evaluation.
“The results of the SOL tests will be used differently this year. The results are needed to inform what teachers and schools do next with our students,” Lane said. “Teachers and principals need to know exactly how kids are doing so they can design instruction and provide support to students over the summer and throughout the next school year that meet their unique academic needs. The SOL tests will provide critical information on where our students are excelling and where they are struggling in a way that is consistent from school to school.”
Last year, Lane exercised his emergency authority to waive state accreditation for 2021-2022. However, the U.S. Department of Education is still requiring states to administer federally required reading, mathematics and science tests this spring. In carrying out the federal mandate, the Virginia Department of Education is taking advantage of the flexibility offered by the federal agency to protect the health of students and staff, and minimize stress during testing.
For example, the VDOE extended the spring Standards of Learning testing windows to allow for additional instruction before students take the assessments. The extended windows also provide additional flexibility for schools as they administer the tests, which students must take in-person within secure school settings.
“Every school division will be bringing students in for tests while still practicing physical distancing and requiring the use of masks,” Lane said. “I encourage parents with questions about the health and safety protocols that will be in place during testing to talk to their principals about their concerns.”
In addition to the extension of testing windows and waiver of accreditation ratings for a second year, the state Board of Education is allowing school divisions to administer local assessments in the place of SOL tests in writing and history that are not required by federal law.
