Introduction
Readers are cautioned to exercise care when interpreting test scores and reminded that test scores, in and of themselves, are not definitive measures of student achievement or of educational programs.  Reported SOL Scores are the percentage of students passing.  For additional information on SOL testing please contact your school principal. 

Background
In June of 1995, the Virginia Board of Education adopted the Standards of Learning (SOLs) in four content areas: English, Mathematics, History, and Science.

In October 1996, the Virginia Department of Education awarded the contract for the SOL assessment to Harcourt Brace Educational Measurement (HBEM). HBEM worked with the Department of Education and educators in Virginia to develop the assessments of the SOL program.

During the summer of 1998, eight Standard Setting Committees worked on recommendations for passing scores on the Standards of Learning tests, and these were presented to the Virginia Board of Education on October 8, 1998. Achievement levels of "Fail/Does Not Meet the Standard," "Pass/Proficient," and "Pass/Advanced" were established for each test.

The Standards of Accreditation (SOA), which were adopted by the Board of Education in September 1997, require that students be tested with the SOL assessments in grades 3, 5, and 8. Additionally, high school students who are taking selected courses for which SOL assessments have been developed must take the SOL tests associated with those courses.

Beginning with the Class of 2004, students must earn verified credit to qualify for a standard or advanced studies diploma. A student earns verified credit by passing the SOL test associated with that course. To earn a standard diploma students must earn 6 verified credits; to earn an advanced studies diploma a student must earn 9 verified credits.

A school’s performance on the SOL tests will be a component in the accreditation of schools, with the requirement that 70% of eligible students in a school pass the SOL tests in each of the core areas (except Science and History at grade 3 where it is 50%) for full accreditation.