How do Virginia SOLs work with IEPs?

[Anonymous]

I have a HSer with an IEP and I feel like we can't get a straight answer on the SOLs. No one will say they can graduate without passing the SOL. It is a kick the can down the road thing and it is super frustrating. I do not recommend FCPS.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I am considering moving to Virginia for my DS’s HS years but reading about the new enhanced SOLs has me anxious. DS has no learning disabilities but can just be pretty erratic when it comes to test taking. On top of everything else that I anticipate I need to do to get him into college, adding SOLs to the mix seems really stressful. But I’m wondering if kids with IEPs can be exempted or something? This is honesty enough of a concern that it might tip me over into moving to Maryland or staying in DCPS.

Virginia changed its SOL requirements to make them more onerous. There are a lot of open questions right now with few answers. If you move here, monitor it closely. This could really be hard for SWD. In theory, they should still get credit accommodations but who knows how this will look in practice.

[Anonymous]

You can opt out of SOLs. Not many people do it, but you can

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:You can opt out of SOLs. Not many people do it, but you can

But they will now be 10% of the grade for middle and high school students. So how will opting out work in that case?

FWIW, since my kid test-anxious kid currently has finals that count for 20% of their grade, it feels like replacing it with an SOL worth half as much might actually be better for her.

[Anonymous]

You cannot opt out of SOLs in high school unless you are on a non-diploma track. An IEP can give you some accommodations on them.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:You cannot opt out of SOLs in high school unless you are on a non-diploma track. An IEP can give you some accommodations on them.

OP here. For a standard diploma it seems like there are a lot of ways to go about getting credit. Is that going to change?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:You cannot opt out of SOLs in high school unless you are on a non-diploma track. An IEP can give you some accommodations on them.

OP here. For a standard diploma it seems like there are a lot of ways to go about getting credit. Is that going to change?

Same poster that you’re replying to. I’m not sure exactly what you’re asking. There’s virtually no difference between a standard and an advanced diploma other than the number of credits taken. For example, a standard diploma requires 3 history courses while an advanced diploma requires 4. Regardless of standard or advanced diploma, your child will need to take a handful of SOLs.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:You cannot opt out of SOLs in high school unless you are on a non-diploma track. An IEP can give you some accommodations on them.

This. You cannot completely opt out. On a case by case basis for some SOLs they may come up with an alternative assessment, but I think you have to take the actual SOL at least once in most cases. In writing though it's different or was.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:You cannot opt out of SOLs in high school unless you are on a non-diploma track. An IEP can give you some accommodations on them.

OP here. For a standard diploma it seems like there are a lot of ways to go about getting credit. Is that going to change?

Same poster that you’re replying to. I’m not sure exactly what you’re asking. There’s virtually no difference between a standard and an advanced diploma other than the number of credits taken. For example, a standard diploma requires 3 history courses while an advanced diploma requires 4. Regardless of standard or advanced diploma, your child will need to take a handful of SOLs.

My understanding was that there are more “credit accommodations” for standard diplomas. Is that still going to be true?

https://www.doe.virginia.gov/parents-students/for-students/graduation/graduation-requirement-resources/credit-accommodations#:~:text=The%20special%20permission%20credit%20accommodation,the%20test%20at%20least%20once.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:You cannot opt out of SOLs in high school unless you are on a non-diploma track. An IEP can give you some accommodations on them.

OP here. For a standard diploma it seems like there are a lot of ways to go about getting credit. Is that going to change?

Same poster that you’re replying to. I’m not sure exactly what you’re asking. There’s virtually no difference between a standard and an advanced diploma other than the number of credits taken. For example, a standard diploma requires 3 history courses while an advanced diploma requires 4. Regardless of standard or advanced diploma, your child will need to take a handful of SOLs.

My understanding was that there are more “credit accommodations” for standard diplomas. Is that still going to be true?

https://www.doe.virginia.gov/parents-students/for-students/graduation/graduation-requirement-resources/credit-accommodations#:~:text=The%20special%20permission%20credit%20accommodation,the%20test%20at%20least%20once.

We don't yet know how credit accommodations are going to be impacted by the new requirements. It's all up to the Youngkin Administration, but they haven't said anything about accommodating students with disabilities as far as I know.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:You cannot opt out of SOLs in high school unless you are on a non-diploma track. An IEP can give you some accommodations on them.

OP here. For a standard diploma it seems like there are a lot of ways to go about getting credit. Is that going to change?

Same poster that you’re replying to. I’m not sure exactly what you’re asking. There’s virtually no difference between a standard and an advanced diploma other than the number of credits taken. For example, a standard diploma requires 3 history courses while an advanced diploma requires 4. Regardless of standard or advanced diploma, your child will need to take a handful of SOLs.

My understanding was that there are more “credit accommodations” for standard diplomas. Is that still going to be true?

https://www.doe.virginia.gov/parents-students/for-students/graduation/graduation-requirement-resources/credit-accommodations#:~:text=The%20special%20permission%20credit%20accommodation,the%20test%20at%20least%20once.

There were supposedly, but I could never get straight answers before change, and I asked with a PSL there. Luckily my kid passed the SOL I was most concerned about. Some of her friends got to do a PBL project in place of the History SOL they didn't pass. I think you have to fail at a certain level to qualify-where you were a few questions away as opposed to many questions away. I suspect there will be a plan in place with the new criteria and it will be kept hidden, but if your kid needs it, it will eventually be discussed at an IEP meeting.

[Anonymous]

Any student on a standard diploma track or advanced studies diploma track has to take and pass 5 SOL's (science, math, history, reading, writing).

Credit accommodations - all students regardless of IEP or diploma status get 1 credit accommodation freebee. This means the student takes the SOL and scores between a 375-399, receives remediation and takes the SOL again. It does not matter what the student scores on the retake as long as the student scored anywhere between a 375 and 399 on the first attempt. That student will get the SOL verified credit.

Students with IEP's on the standard diploma track - still have to take and receive credit for 5 SOL's however, they can have credit accommodations for all SOL tests they take (not just 1). They can have a reduced cut score of 350 instead of 375 (but they still have to score a 375 or higher on the retake to get the verified credit). They also have access to alternative tests for the reading and writing SOL if the they do not pass the first time. These tests are more business related and students tend to well on them.

Student's with IEP's on advanced studies track only get 1 SOL credit accommodation so choose wisely.

Things are always changing, but this is how it is now.

[Anonymous]

thank you for the above because our HS seems to have no idea. This is helpful and confirms that if you want a diploma- need to pass the SOLs at some level.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Any student on a standard diploma track or advanced studies diploma track has to take and pass 5 SOL's (science, math, history, reading, writing).

Credit accommodations - all students regardless of IEP or diploma status get 1 credit accommodation freebee. This means the student takes the SOL and scores between a 375-399, receives remediation and takes the SOL again. It does not matter what the student scores on the retake as long as the student scored anywhere between a 375 and 399 on the first attempt. That student will get the SOL verified credit.

Students with IEP's on the standard diploma track - still have to take and receive credit for 5 SOL's however, they can have credit accommodations for all SOL tests they take (not just 1). They can have a reduced cut score of 350 instead of 375 (but they still have to score a 375 or higher on the retake to get the verified credit). They also have access to alternative tests for the reading and writing SOL if the they do not pass the first time. These tests are more business related and students tend to well on them.

Student's with IEP's on advanced studies track only get 1 SOL credit accommodation so choose wisely.

Things are always changing, but this is how it is now.

a retake is not the same thing as a credit accommodation

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Any student on a standard diploma track or advanced studies diploma track has to take and pass 5 SOL's (science, math, history, reading, writing).

Credit accommodations - all students regardless of IEP or diploma status get 1 credit accommodation freebee. This means the student takes the SOL and scores between a 375-399, receives remediation and takes the SOL again. It does not matter what the student scores on the retake as long as the student scored anywhere between a 375 and 399 on the first attempt. That student will get the SOL verified credit.

Students with IEP's on the standard diploma track - still have to take and receive credit for 5 SOL's however, they can have credit accommodations for all SOL tests they take (not just 1). They can have a reduced cut score of 350 instead of 375 (but they still have to score a 375 or higher on the retake to get the verified credit). They also have access to alternative tests for the reading and writing SOL if the they do not pass the first time. These tests are more business related and students tend to well on them.

Student's with IEP's on advanced studies track only get 1 SOL credit accommodation so choose wisely.

Things are always changing, but this is how it is now.

a retake is not the same thing as a credit accommodation

It is part of the credit accommodation.

Step 1 take the SOL
Step 2 score between a 350/375 and 399
Step 3 receive remediation
Step 4 RETAKE the SOL and score 375 or higher
Step 5 get the verified credit