INFORMATIONAL

  Attached is a copy of a press release containing
  information on the preliminary statewide passing and
  failing rates for the Standards of Learning (SOL) Tests. 
  These rates were calculated based on the passing scores
  as established by the Board of Education at its meeting
  on Friday, October 30, 1998.

  As stated in the attached release, these numbers reflect
  the statewide percentage of students who passed and
  failed the SOL tests in the spring of 1998.  The passing
  rates for individual schools and school divisions may
  vary widely from that of the entire state.  In the coming
  weeks, the Department of Education will be working with
  the scoring contractor to compute the passing rates for
  each school and division within the Commonwealth.  It is
  anticipated that the individual school and division
  information will be available around the first of
  December. 

  Should you have any questions or need additional
  information, please contact Diane Atkinson, Assistant
  Superintendent of Policy and Public Affairs, at (804)
  225-2403 or Cam Harris, Assistant Superintendent of
  Assessment and Reporting, at (804)225-2102.


  PDS/mnr

  Attachment:  A hard copy of this memo and its           
               attachment will be sent to the
               superintendent's office.