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Standards of
Learning (SOL)
The Standards of
Accreditation (SOA) were adopted by the Board of Education in
September 1997. The new SOA’s require that students be tested
with the Standards of Learning (SOL) assessments in grades 3, 5,
and 8. High School students who are taking selected courses for
which SOL assessments have been developed must take the SOL
assessments associated with the courses. The list below shows
the various SOL assessments and each grade level. The federal
No Child Left Behind Act (NCLB) also requires assessments of the
SOL’s for all students including yearly reading and math testing
in grades 3-8 starting in 2005-2006.
Required
Standards of Learning Assessments
Grade 3
English
History
Mathematics
Science |
Grade 4, 6, & 7
(starting in 2005-2006)
English: Reading, Literature and Research
Mathematics |
Grade 5
English: Reading, Literature and Research
English: Writing
History (Virginia History)
Mathematics
Science |
Grade 8
English: Reading, Literature and Research
English: Writing
History
Mathematics
Science |
High School – End of Course
-
English: Reading, Literature and
Research- 1 test; covers SOLs for grades 9-11
-
English: Writing- 1 test; covers
SOLs for grades 9-11
-
World History I
-
World History II
-
World Geography
-
Virginia and U.S. History
-
Algebra I
-
Geometry
-
Algebra II
-
Earth Science
-
Biology
-
Chemistry
SOL Tests and Verified Credits
Needed for Graduation Beginning 2004
For high school students, the consequences of not passing the
end-of-course SOL tests means not receiving verified credits
needed for graduation. In order to earn verified credits for a
class, students must pass the class successfully completing 140
hours of instruction AND pass the SOL test for that course.
Students receiving a standard diploma need a total of 6 verified
credits to graduate. Those working toward an advanced studies
diploma need 9 verified credits. Students who entered high
school grade 9 prior to 2004 may select their 4 verified credits
other than English from any discipline. The following chart
shows the number of verified credits students need in each
discipline and the courses in which they may earn them:
VERIFIED CREDITS
|
Discipline |
Standard Diploma |
Advanced Studies
Diploma |
Tests |
| English |
2 |
2 |
Reading, Writing |
|
Mathematics |
1 |
2 |
Algebra I
Geometry
Algebra II |
| History |
1 |
2 |
W.
History I
W. History II
U.S. History
World Geography |
| Science |
1 |
2 |
Earth
Science
Biology
Chemistry |
|
Additional test of student’s choice |
1 |
1 |
|
|
TOTAL VERIFIED CREDITS |
6 |
9 |
|
REQUIRED CREDITS
|
Discipline |
Standard Diploma * |
Advanced Studies
Diploma ** |
| English |
4 |
4 |
|
Mathematics1 |
3 |
4 |
|
Laboratory Science2 |
3 |
4 |
|
World Studies |
1 |
2 |
|
US History |
1 |
1 |
|
US Government |
1 |
1 |
|
Foreign Language3 |
0 |
3 |
|
Physical Education |
1 |
1 |
|
Health/Drivers Education |
1 |
1 |
|
Fine/Practical Arts |
1 |
1 |
|
Electives4 |
6 |
2 |
|
TOTAL |
22 |
24 |
1Standard:
Algebra I and two other math courses above the level of Algebra.
Advanced: Algebra
I, Geometry, Algebra II, and one other course above these levels
of math.
2Standard: Courses
must be from at least two different disciplines: Earth Science,
Biology, Chemistry, or Physics.
Advanced: Courses must be from at least three different
disciplines: Earth Science, Biology, Chemistry, or Physics.
3Advanced: Option:
Two credits each in two different languages.
4Standard: Recommend
completing a vocational program.
Advanced: Keyboarding is recommended for all students.
*Students
who graduate with an average of a B or better will receive a
Board of Education Seal on their diploma.
**Students
who graduate with an average of B or better and have passed at
least one AP or college-level course will receive a Governor’s
Seal on their diploma.
SOL’s are one of several criteria used to
determine whether a student is promoted or retained. A school’s
overall SOL test results are now the major component in
determining its accreditation status. The SOA accreditation
requirements are available in each school.
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