Reason why High School SOL scores dropped a bit

[Anonymous]

When VDOE decided to eliminate SOL Test, for students that don't need that test in order to graduate. They only need to pass 1 verified credit for Math, Science, History and 1 student choice. Of course they still need 2 VC for English, but that means most students will not be taking a test for Geometry or Algebra 2, or Chemistry, or US VA History. So when you see the test score you might see something under 50%, because only the kids that are not very good test takers will take the test. UNPOPULAR OPINION- All kids should take the test like they did before they changed the rule.. I think it was 2020?.

I think is silly when people see the test score for some courses and wonder why they are so low.

[Anonymous]

I think they should just get rid of the SOLs and VGAs and other ridiculous test that provide little value and merely generate profit for testing companies. The idea of a verified credit is ridiculous, the kids passed the class or they didn’t. That is what we need to know.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I think they should just get rid of the SOLs and VGAs and other ridiculous test that provide little value and merely generate profit for testing companies. The idea of a verified credit is ridiculous, the kids passed the class or they didn’t. That is what we need to know.

Other than AP classes with AP tests, there is no other way to verify that classes are actually teaching certain standards. They shouldn't have gotten rid of so many actually. I don't know why there was such a push back against those tests. They were easy. The teachers didn't have to come up with them. They ensured basic skills were taught. It was a complete overreaction..

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think they should just get rid of the SOLs and VGAs and other ridiculous test that provide little value and merely generate profit for testing companies. The idea of a verified credit is ridiculous, the kids passed the class or they didn’t. That is what we need to know.

Other than AP classes with AP tests, there is no other way to verify that classes are actually teaching certain standards. They shouldn't have gotten rid of so many actually. I don't know why there was such a push back against those tests. They were easy. The teachers didn't have to come up with them. They ensured basic skills were taught. It was a complete overreaction..

There is push back because Teachers teach to a ridiculous test that doesn’t actually measure anything useful. The tests hamper the ability to teach and line the pockets of specialized testing companies while dumbing down education. And they place ridiculous amounts of pressure on kids for no good reason.

The SOLs are a waste of time and money. The testing phase of leave no child behind has been a failure.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think they should just get rid of the SOLs and VGAs and other ridiculous test that provide little value and merely generate profit for testing companies. The idea of a verified credit is ridiculous, the kids passed the class or they didn’t. That is what we need to know.

Other than AP classes with AP tests, there is no other way to verify that classes are actually teaching certain standards. They shouldn't have gotten rid of so many actually. I don't know why there was such a push back against those tests. They were easy. The teachers didn't have to come up with them. They ensured basic skills were taught. It was a complete overreaction..

Pre 50% rule, I had way more students failed the class than failed the SOL.

[Anonymous]

I want to see SOL scores now that so many schools are looking for ways to inflate grades.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I want to see SOL scores now that so many schools are looking for ways to inflate grades.

Grade inflation shouldn’t change SOL scores. The kid with a 400/C+ now has a 400/B-. The kid with a 340/22% F now has a 340/58% F.

[Anonymous]

1student choice verified credit???? Is than an older requirement? Never heard of that.

[Anonymous]

*That

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I think they should just get rid of the SOLs and VGAs and other ridiculous test that provide little value and merely generate profit for testing companies. The idea of a verified credit is ridiculous, the kids passed the class or they didn’t. That is what we need to know.

SOLs ensure the student has minimum competency in the course. It also guards against graduating kids that don't have baseline skills. One reason that the verified credits were reduced in 2017 was so that more kids who passed a course but failed the SOL could still get an advanced or standard diploma.
Advanced Diploma: pre-2018, 9 verified credits needed, post-2018, 5 verified credits needed
Standard Diploma: pre-2018, 6 verified credits needed, post-2018, 5 verified credits needed

https://www.doe.virginia.gov/parents-students/for-students/graduation/diploma-options

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:When VDOE decided to eliminate SOL Test, for students that don't need that test in order to graduate. They only need to pass 1 verified credit for Math, Science, History and 1 student choice. Of course they still need 2 VC for English, but that means most students will not be taking a test for Geometry or Algebra 2, or Chemistry, or US VA History. So when you see the test score you might see something under 50%, because only the kids that are not very good test takers will take the test. UNPOPULAR OPINION- All kids should take the test like they did before they changed the rule.. I think it was 2020?.

I think is silly when people see the test score for some courses and wonder why they are so low.

I’ll answer the question in your title OP: because kids missed over a year of real school. That kind of learning loss can never be made up & will be evident on SOLs for the next decade.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think they should just get rid of the SOLs and VGAs and other ridiculous test that provide little value and merely generate profit for testing companies. The idea of a verified credit is ridiculous, the kids passed the class or they didn’t. That is what we need to know.

Other than AP classes with AP tests, there is no other way to verify that classes are actually teaching certain standards. They shouldn't have gotten rid of so many actually. I don't know why there was such a push back against those tests. They were easy. The teachers didn't have to come up with them. They ensured basic skills were taught. It was a complete overreaction..

Maybe for your child. Definitely not for most ESOL, FARMs and SN kids.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think they should just get rid of the SOLs and VGAs and other ridiculous test that provide little value and merely generate profit for testing companies. The idea of a verified credit is ridiculous, the kids passed the class or they didn’t. That is what we need to know.

Other than AP classes with AP tests, there is no other way to verify that classes are actually teaching certain standards. They shouldn't have gotten rid of so many actually. I don't know why there was such a push back against those tests. They were easy. The teachers didn't have to come up with them. They ensured basic skills were taught. It was a complete overreaction..

Private school kids don’t take SOLs. Somehow, they survive.

[Anonymous]

SOLs are particularly valuable now to quantify learning loss. They’re standardized across districts, go back in time, and are publicly available. They let people know the scope of the problem and make it easier to compare different districts' remediation efforts and see what works best.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I want to see SOL scores now that so many schools are looking for ways to inflate grades.

+1

The people who are most against SOL tests are the ones whose students don’t score well on them. Teachers can choose to grade as easy or rigorously as they’d like. But standardized tests give a more accurate picture of how well students are meeting the standards.

I actually wish Virginia would just use the Iowa or some other nationally normed tests rather than only comparing students to other in-state students. Stakeholders need to see how Virginia students rank with the rest of the US.