Virginia Department of Education releases SOL scores

RICHMOND (WSLS 10) - The Virginia Department of Education (VDOE) released its statewide, division-level and school-level pass rates on Standards of Learning (SOL) assessments taken last school year.

Here are your local scores for all students:

The percentage of students achieving at the proficient or advanced level on Standards of Learning assessments in reading, mathematics and science increased by one-point statewide during 2015-2016, VDOE reported today.

80-percent of students achieved proficient or advanced scores in reading, and the same percentage passed tests in mathematics, compared with 79 percent in both subjects in 2014-2015. Eighty-three percent passed grade-level or end-of-course SOL tests in science, compared with 82 percent previously.

"A one-point improvement in mathematics means that approximately 11,500 more students met or exceeded the benchmark for proficiency for their grade or course," Superintendent of Public Instruction Steven R. Staples said. "In reading, a one-point increase equals approximately 8,000 students, and in science, more than 6,000. The success of these students – many of whom have struggled in the past – reflects great credit on our teachers, especially given Virginia's rigorous standards and challenging online assessments."

Of Virginia's 1,822 public schools, 915 improved in mathematics, 904 in reading and 939 in science.

Noting the gaps that continue to separate the achievement of black and Hispanic students from that of white students, Board of Education President Billy K. Cannaday Jr. said that narrowing and ultimately closing these gaps will remain the state board's top priority.

"Under our current accreditation system, relatively high overall achievement in fully accredited schools can mask underperformance by certain groups of students," Cannaday said. "The board is committed to implementing reforms that will shine a light on achievement gaps and hold all schools accountable for raising the achievement of students who historically have struggled to meet Virginia's high expectations."

Governor Terry McAuliffe and the state Board of Education have advocated the expansion of computer adaptive testing as a means of better measuring academic growth and improving the assessment experience of students. VDOE expects to convert all mathematics and reading SOL tests in grades 3-8 to the computer adaptive format by fall 2017.

VDOE will announce 2016-2017 state accreditation ratings in mid-September. Accreditation ratings may reflect achievement over three years and include adjustments to reward schools for successful interventions and allowances for certain transfer students and English learners.

You can read the full results here.

This is a story we will be continuing to follow throughout the day. Check back with WSLS 10 for more updates.