COMMONWEALTH OF VIRGINIA

DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION

P.O. BOX 2120

RICHMOND, VIRGINIA 23218-2120

SUPTS. MEMO NO. 252

December 17, 2004

INFORMATIONAL

TO:	Division Superintendents
FROM:	Jo Lynne DeMary Superintendent of Public Instruction
SUBJECT:	Clarification on the Use of Calculators on the Standards of Learning Mathematics Tests

The purpose of this memo is to clarify the use of calculators on the Standards of Learning (SOL) mathematics tests.

• Students taking the mathematics tests for grades 4 and 5 will use a four-function calculator on the section of the test in which a calculator is allowed. Please remember that the grade 4 mathematics test is being field-tested in the spring of 2005.

• Beginning with the spring 2005 field-testing of grades 6 and 7 mathematics, only a scientific calculator from the state-approved list will be permitted on the section of the test in which a calculator is allowed.

• Students taking the grade 8 mathematics test will continue to use four-function calculators for the spring 2005 and fall 2006 test administrations. Beginning with the spring 2006 SOL test administration, students taking the grade 8 test may use only the state-approved scientific calculators.

• Students taking any of the end-of-course SOL mathematics tests will continue to use approved graphing calculators.

A new scientific calculator, the Sharp EL-501WBBK scientific calculator, has been approved by the Department of Education. This is an acceptable replacement for the Sharp EL-501V, which is no longer available.

Attached is a table summarizing the use of calculators on all mathematics SOL tests. The calculators that have been approved are also listed. A table summarizing the use of calculators on all mathematics and science SOL tests may also be found at http://www.doe.virginia.gov/VDOE/Assessment/home.shtml.

If you need additional information, please contact Earl Jackson at Earl.Jackson@doe.virginia.gov or (804) 225-2916, Marcia Perry at Marcia.Perry@doe.virginia.gov or

(804) 786-1390, Lois Williams at Lois.Williams@doe.virginia.gov or (804) 786-8078, or Deborah Bliss at Deborah.Bliss@doe.virginia.gov or (804) 786-6418.

JLD/SLR/jc

Attachment

http://www.doe.virginia.gov/administrators/superintendents_memos/2004/inf252a.pdf