COMMONWEALTH OF VIRGINIA

DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION

P.O. BOX 2120

RICHMOND, VIRGINIA 23218-2120

SUPTS. MEMO NO. 6

January 17, 2002

INFORMATIONAL

TO:	Division Superintendents
FROM:	Jo Lynne DeMary Superintendent of Public Instruction
SUBJECT:	Review of Standards of Learning (SOL) Tests by School Division Personnel

The purpose of this memo is to notify you of a change in the policy for reviewing SOL tests by school division staff. Concern for test security has prompted school divisions and the Department of Education to attempt to identify measures to improve the manner in which tests are administered, transported, and stored. Now that SOL tests are being released on a regular basis, the review policy set out in Supts. Memo No. 70, April 2, 1999, is no longer in effect.

School division personnel may no longer be given the opportunity to review current SOL tests after each administration except in the area of history. The review of history tests will be permitted to continue until the history item banks are large enough to allow the release of test forms. More specific guidelines about the procedures to be followed in allowing school division personnel to review the history tests will be sent to your division director of testing via a testing memo.

The primary form of spring 2001 SOL tests, with the exception of social studies, may be downloaded for your review at http://www.pen.k12.va.us/VDOE/Instruction/2001sol/release2001.html.

Thank you for your continued support in maintaining a high level of security in all aspects of the SOL testing program. If you have questions, please contact the Division of Assessment and Reporting at (804) 225-2102.

JLD/SLR/jc