Reply to WE WANT SCHOOL WIDE SOL SCORES

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Reply to "WE WANT SCHOOL WIDE SOL SCORES"

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[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous]There are many nuances to this that most people don't know and it makes it hard to use this data as an indication of anything.

Like the poster above said, students don't take as many SOLs as they used to.  Certain ones are tests most people take (Bio, Alg 1), and then others are pretty much only taken by students who failed those two or have transferred in (Chemistry, Earth Science, Alg 2, etc).  Or they are taking some only for federal participation and don't actually have to pass it (Alg 2 or Geometry in some circumstances).

Finally, substitute tests are being used much more often than they used to, which is part of the reason why there are less test takers for SOLs now than there used to be (using a PSAT subscore instead of an SOL).

The data doesn't say what you think it does if you know all the variables [/quote]

Thank you. I am relatively new to Fairfax County so I don't know all the changes.  When did they occur? I was under the assumption that all students take the same tests annually, that this is a requirement. I thought part of the point is to know how schools are doing (accountability), but I don't see how that is possible if there's so much variability in the ways that you describe in who actually takes the tests, what tests they take, and when.

Here it seems to imply tests are federally required annually in math, science, and English, but I suppose this is outdated or otherwise poorly worded:
https://www.fcps.edu/student-tests-and-assessments/student-assessment-details/sol-assessments

I see elsewhere that "Federal law requires schools to provide students one SOL test in reading, in mathematics, and in science during grades 9-12. These assessments provide information about student achievement to the parent/guardian, school, division, and state." (https://www.fcps.edu/node/43069)

About substitute tests, FCPS says "However, substitute tests do not fulfill federal participation requirements. Students will still be offered a SOL test when they enroll in a SOL-associated English, Biology, or Mathematics course."
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