Standards and Assessment
Ensuring English Learners (ELs) have meaningful access to the core curriculum is essential to helping them gain the skills needed to succeed in all classrooms within a reasonable timeframe.
Virginia Standards of Learning Resources
Virginia Standards of Learning
Instruction in Virginia's public schools is guided by the Standards of Learning. The standards describe the commonwealth's expectations for student learning and achievement in grades K-12.
Virginia Standards of Learning Instructional Guides
Instructional Guides provide educators support with the implementation of the Standards of Learning. Instructional Guides for each content area can be found the Standards of Learning pages of each content’s web section.
Virginia Standards Satchel
The Satchel is a web application designed to streamline the alignment of the WIDA English Language Development Standards with the Virginia Standards of Learning for, English, History and Social Science, Mathematics, and Science. This format provides educators and leaders readily accessible and aligned competencies, skills, and standards that are needed to support the instruction of English Learners in the four core content areas.
This video provides directions on how to navigate the Virginia Standards Satchel.
Engaging English Learners in Content Instruction
These one-page resources provide educators with practical strategies and supports to engage English Learners at all proficiency levels in content instruction. Each resource includes content specific examples and links to videos or templates.
- Engaging English Learners in English and Literacy
- Fine Arts:
- Engaging English Learners in History and Social Science
- Engaging English Learners in Mathematics
- Engaging English Learners in Science
Supports and Scaffolds for Accessible English Learner Instruction
Supports and scaffolds can be combined as needed during instruction and classroom assessments for all levels of instruction and all ELs. They can be provided as part of Tier 1, core instruction. Scaffolding takes place during the planning process, and during instruction. Scaffolding before the lesson provides a balance bridging familiar experiences to new ones where students use language that is increasingly more complex, leads to independence, and offers multiple means of engagement, representation, and expression. Scaffolding during lesson instruction helps students make connections using students’ linguistic resources that expands their thinking and supports collaborative learning.
WIDA English Language Development Standards Framework and Resources
WIDA English Language Development Standards Framework
Virginia joined the WIDA Consortium in 2008. As a consortium member, Virginia educators and leaders can access standards resources, assessment tools, professional learning, and resources for families targeted to support the English language development of multilingual learners. The Can-Do Philosophy and the Guiding Principles for Language Development are foundational to the 2020 WIDA English Language Development (ELD) Standards Framework.
WIDA English Language Development Standards Framework, 2020 edition
- WIDA English Language Development Standards Framework, 2020 Edition: Kindergarten-Grade 12
- Implementation Guide: WIDA ELD Standards Framework
- Administrator Supplement: WIDA ELD Standards Framework Implementation
WIDA Website and Resources
- WIDA Website
- WIDA Family Engagement Resources
- WIDA Self-Paced eWorkshops (Word) - Learn how to request free access as a Virginia educator; Modules are available anytime.
Assessment
Virginia SOL Assessment Program
Standards of Learning(SOL) tests measure the success of students in meeting the Board of Education’s expectations for learning and achievement.
- Procedures for Determining English Learner Participation in the Virginia Assessment Program (Word)
- SOL Practice Items (All Subjects) - The Practice Items are test items grouped by content area and grade level or course available for use by teachers, parents, and students in Virginia. They serve as examples of the types of online test items, including technology-enhanced items (TEI), that are presented to students during an online state assessment.
Virginia English Language Proficiency Assessments
Virginia uses WIDA Screener for Kindergarten to identify English Learners (ELs) in Kindergarten and the WIDA Screener to identify English Learners Grades 1-12. ACCESS for ELLs is given to all identified English Learners during the annual testing window, which typically lasts from early January through late March.
English language proficiency assessments given to English Learners in grades K-12 to monitor their achievement and measure their progress in English language development.