Standards of Learning

News & Announcements

Instructional Guides now available

The Instructional Guides are companion documents to the 2018 and 2025 Science Standards of Learning and will support teachers and leaders in implementing standards-aligned instruction. The guides have several sections, including Understanding the Standard, Skills in Practice, Concepts and Connections, and Resources to Support Local Curriculum and Instruction. A feedback form is also available. Feedback will inform future revisions. Curriculum Frameworks will be removed prior to the start of the 2026-2027 school year.

The science team will offer a webinar giving details about the purpose, intent, structure, content, and context for use for the Instructional Guides. This webinar will be offered four times to accommodate a variety of schedules.

Webinar dates, times, and registration links:

• May 18 at 4:00 p.m.
• May 26 at 4:00 p.m.
• August 4 at 4:00 p.m.
• August 25 at 4:00 p.m.

Technical Edits to 2018 Science Standards of Learning

Technical edits for the 2018 Science Standards of Learning are available. These changes address clarity of language and increase consistency and vertical articulation in the Scientific and Engineering Practices K-12. Two versions are available - one showing strikethroughs and a clean version. The documents in the table below will be updated prior to the start of the 2026-2027 school year. 

• Strikethrough version (Word | PDF)
• Clean version (Word | PDF)

An updated K-12 Scientific and Engineering Practices Progression is also available (Word | PDF)

Board Adoption of the 2025 Science Standards of Learning

On December 11, 2025, the Virginia Board of Education approved the 2025 Expanded High School Science Standards of Learning. The 2018 Science Standards of Learning for K-Physics remain unchanged in content and practices. 

Science Test Blueprints

Test blueprints serve as a guide for test construction.Science test blueprints are available for Grade 5 Science SOL Test, Grade 8 Science SOL Test, Biology SOL Test, Chemistry SOL Test, and Earth Science SOL Test.

Standards of Learning Documents for Science - Adopted 2018 and 2025