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ESEA FLEXIBILITY INFORMATION FROM STATE SUPERINTENDENT PATRICIA I. WRIGHT

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September 12, 2012

2011-2012 Subgroup SOL Pass Rates

Online Report Cards for State, Divisions & Schools Updated

The Virginia Department of Education (VDOE) today updated its online report cards for schools, school divisions and the commonwealth with data on the performance of student subgroups on 2011-2012 Standards of Learning (SOL) tests in English, mathematics, science and history/social science. The report cards are available in the “Virginia School Report Card” section of the VDOE website.

The updated data include test-by-test pass rates and subject-area pass rates for Asian, black, economically disadvantaged, Hispanic, limited-English proficient and white students, as well as students with disabilities and other subgroups.

The impact of the rigorous new mathematics SOL tests introduced during 2011-2012 was evident as subject-area pass rates in mathematics fell by 8 to 25 points when compared with performance during 2010-2011 on the old tests:

Superintendent of Public Instruction Patricia I. Wright said the results represent the beginning of a new trend line in mathematics achievement.

“What matters now is where we go from here,” Wright said. “At the state level, we must set aggressive but attainable annual objectives for narrowing and ultimately closing these achievement gaps. At the local level, instructional leaders must make sure that teaching in the classroom is aligned with the new standards. The focus must shift from ‘test prep’ to increasing the ability of students to apply their knowledge of mathematics and solve multi-step problems.”

The reading tests taken by students during 2011-2012 were based on the English standards adopted by the state Board of Education in 2002. The English tests students will take this school year will reflect the more rigorous standards adopted by the board in 2010. Like the new mathematics tests that debuted during 2011-2012, the new reading tests will include technology-enhanced items, as well as traditional multiple-choice questions.

There was little change in subgroup performance in English reading on the 2011-2012 tests.

The science tests taken by students during 2011-2012 were the last to be based on the 2002 science standards. Science tests this year will be based on revised standards approved by the Board of Education in 2010.

Subgroup performance on new history/social science SOL tests introduced during 2010-2011 continued to improve with most subgroups making 1 to 2 point gains in the subject on the 2011-2012 tests.

VDOE will report state accreditation ratings for schools for 2012-2013 later this month.

Three-year averaging will mitigate the impact of the 2011-2012 mathematics tests on accreditation ratings and on federal accountability determinations tentatively slated for release in October.

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