Failing the SOL- what happens?

[Anonymous]

So my kid failed the Reading SOL. Not by much, but failed nonetheless.

What happens in school? Do they track these kids differently? This is in elementary school.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:So my kid failed the Reading SOL. Not by much, but failed nonetheless.

What happens in school? Do they track these kids differently? This is in elementary school.

Did you sign the form form your child to retake the test if they are close to passing? If you said yes, I assume your child will do a retake.

[Anonymous]

I signed it, but said no to retakes.

Just wondering if this will impact the way she's "labeled" in school from here on out.

[Anonymous]

Could this have anything to do with the Pearson site being down?

[Anonymous]

What do you want to happen? I would want my child to be "labeled" as needing additional help in reading, and to get that additional help. That's why I said no to retakes. If a kid fails an elementary school SOL, the school is not adequately serving that kid and needs to do better.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I signed it, but said no to retakes.

Just wondering if this will impact the way she's "labeled" in school from here on out.

I might ask the school if it's possible to change your earlier no to a yes, if you are concerned that failing will affect her class placement next year, etc. If you now want a retake, I would ask that question ASAP as kids are now in the middle of the SOL testing time and the window is very small. The school might say that ship has sailed and you can't change the choice at this point; I would assume that's what they'll say, but you can at least ask if you're really concerned. I would also just ask her teacher what you've asked here, whether the failing mark affects how she's seen or "tracked." You might find that there aren't many consequences or labeling that will come out of this, especially when it's clear that she was so close to passing anyway. Next time I'd always leave the retake option open on all SOLs, just in case.

Would like to hear some teachers reply to this question....

[Anonymous]

Has your child been on grade level for reading in previous testing? Like the DRA?

[Anonymous]

Elementary school? Nothing. Middle and high? Varies by county.

I tell my kids to not even think twice about the SOLs, as they're just a way for schools to be granted money.

[Anonymous]

How do you know that she failed? Is she is in elementary school, then nothing happens.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Has your child been on grade level for reading in previous testing? Like the DRA?

OP here- On grade level.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:How do you know that she failed? Is she is in elementary school, then nothing happens.

She told me. I guess the teacher told her.

[Anonymous]

In the school in which I work, we do track student scores -- all student scores. They help us to make more informed decisions about instruction and intervention with specific kids. Even if your kid would retake and pass, she would still be on our "watch list" unless the pass score is significantly above the cut off.

As PP has alluded, this isn't a "bad" thing. It will ensure that she is given more attention in her area of need, whether that is reading support or test prep. Yes, it's sad that attention is given to test prep, but this is the reality of the public school society in which we take part.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:In the school in which I work, we do track student scores -- all student scores. They help us to make more informed decisions about instruction and intervention with specific kids. Even if your kid would retake and pass, she would still be on our "watch list" unless the pass score is significantly above the cut off.

As PP has alluded, this isn't a "bad" thing. It will ensure that she is given more attention in her area of need, whether that is reading support or test prep. Yes, it's sad that attention is given to test prep, but this is the reality of the public school society in which we take part.

This is what I've heard from our principal about how the scores are used.

[Anonymous]

Interesting about the Pearson site - when I was in HS, we had a serious technical problem during my foreign language AP test. Our scores were all given with an asterisk and an explanation of problems during testing.

[Anonymous]

If you haven't been made aware of reading issues with your daughter before this, I would consider this test result a "one off". If you have been made aware of issues before this, then I would take this a bit more seriously. If you have true concerns, I would seek outside testing over the summer. There are other tests that measure reading level with more accuracy than the SOLs.