COMMONWEALTH OF VIRGINIA

DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION

P.O. BOX 2120

RICHMOND, VIRGINIA 23218-2120

SUPTS. MEMO NO. 248

December 16, 2005

INFORMATIONAL

TO:

Division Superintendents

 

FROM:

Jo Lynne DeMary

Superintendent of Public Instruction

 

SUBJECT:

Passing Scores Adopted by the Board of Education for the New End-of-Course English: Reading and Algebra II Tests

 

At its meeting on November 30, 2005, the Board of Education adopted passing scores for the new end-of-course English: Reading test based on the 2002 English Standards of Learning and the new end-of-course Algebra II test based on a revised blueprint measuring the 2001 Standards of Learning. The new cut scores, which are expressed in the number of items a student must answer correctly, were adopted for the achievement levels of “pass/proficient” and “pass/advanced.”  The passing scores for each of the new end-of-course tests are shown below:

 

     Test               Pass/Proficient    Pass/Advanced

 

English: Reading (2002)       28                42

Algebra II (2001 revised)     30                45  

 

Please note that the passing scores are applicable only to the new English: Reading test named English: Reading (2002) that measures the 2002 English content standards and to the new Algebra II test named Algebra II (2001 revised) that addresses a reporting category change in the test blueprint.  Students who completed coursework that covered the English Standards of Learning for grades 9 through 11 before fall 2005 and who are now retaking the associated end-of-course test for verified credit will continue to take the test named English: Reading (1995) that measures content of the 1995 English standards.  Similarly, students who passed an Algebra II course prior to fall 2005 and who are now retaking the test for verified credit will take the Algebra II test named Algebra II (2001) that was developed prior to the reporting category change.  The passing scores on these tests are unaffected by the Board’s action.

 

Should you have questions or need additional information, please call the Division of Assessment and Reporting at (804) 225-2102 or e-mail darfax@doe.virginia.gov.

 

JLD/SLR/jc