INFORMATIONAL

 Questions have been raised as to whether or not the scores from the Standards of Learning (SOL) test results should be
 included on the students' transcripts. As you may recall, in January Governor Gilmore and Board of Education President Kirk
 T. Schroder reviewed this issue in response to concerns from parents. It was decided that the Board of Education would not
 require school divisions to report SOL test scores on high school transcripts, in light of the fact that the current regulations
 governing school transcripts are vague as they pertain to SOL tests. 

 The Board of Education is expected to address this issue as it promulgates revisions to the Regulations Governing Secondary
 School Transcripts, 8 VAC 20-160-10. Until such time as the revised regulations are promulgated, SOL test scores should
 not be included in the students' transcripts, and should not be released to colleges, universities, or other institutions that may
 receive copies of students' transcripts. 

 The SOL test scores should, however, be maintained in the students' records. The confidentiality of the test scores should be
 protected in accordance with the Family Education Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA); the Individuals with Disabilities Act
 (IDEA) when applicable; and 22.1287 through 22.1-289 of the Code of Virginia. 

 If you have questions about this issue, please contact Anne Wescott at (804) 371-2420 or awescott@pen.k12.va.us or Dr.
 Patricia Wright at (804) 225-2894 or pwright@pen.k12.va.us. 

 PDS/AWD/gjm