This 10% SOL requirement can bring the final grade down from A to B and from C to D. Even Reid is against this.
Kids from top public high schools in VA are as it is having a difficult time to get selected for top universities compared to other states where high schools are not that good and don’t offer many APs.

Anonymous wrote:Why is this bad? After reviewing past tests, the content of SOLs frankly seems like the bare minimum that kids should have learned. What is the difference between this and finals? My kids are in elementary school and don’t have final exams so it makes sense that SOLs would serve this purpose.

Teacher is a dinosaur who is still teaching the biology standards from when they started teaching 27 years ago, so a significant portion of today's standards are skipped.

Teacher goes out on emergency medical leave in January. School is unable to find a long term sub for 2nd semester, so it's pieced together daily subs who don't know any of the math that is taught.

Grade is worth 10% no matter the course. There is 1 test for biology, 1 for algebra 2, etc. The child in algebra 2 honors will get the same 10% credit for mastering the very basics as an on level kid as a self contained kid. They are in different courses. Historically they have had different final exams, covering the extensions taught or including the supports used in class. Now, everyone will have the same 50 questions regardless of course content.

I could go on. There are a million reasons why this is dumb.

SOL tests are designed to determine whether or not the student has mastered the content of the course according to the state Standards of Learning. The teachers teach the content as outlined in the FCPS program of studies, which in most cases go above and beyond the SOL. Students should be held responsible for their own learning, not the schools or teachers. Schools and teachers are there to help students achieve mastery. I don’t agree with the 10% mandated across the board but to say that students shouldn’t be held responsible is asinine.

SOLs are supposed to test how the schools are teaching the information the State deems important.

They shouldn't be penalizing the students.

Mandates that mess with how high school grades are calculated is unfair to high school students.

Anonymous wrote:Why is this bad? After reviewing past tests, the content of SOLs frankly seems like the bare minimum that kids should have learned. What is the difference between this and finals? My kids are in elementary school and don’t have final exams so it makes sense that SOLs would serve this purpose.

So many reasons. One test being 10% of the entire class grade for high school. The HS grades now overweight tests over other work already.

HSers don't even need to take most SOLs now--they are focused on class year end exams and studying for AP tests. HS classes shouldn't be teaching to SOL tests.

Why is this bad? After reviewing past tests, the content of SOLs frankly seems like the bare minimum that kids should have learned. What is the difference between this and finals? My kids are in elementary school and don’t have final exams so it makes sense that SOLs would serve this purpose.

Completely absurd and I hope it will be repealed.

https://fastdemocracy.com...ill-view=1

https://www.billtrack50.c...il/1922833

https://lis.virginia.gov/...0261/HB189

I think on 3/14/2026, the proposal to stop the Sol 10% in grade count and increasing cut off scores was rejected.
The sol bill is waiting to be passed in senate, after begin passed in house. If passed, the target implementation date is a July 2026.

Teachers are talking about it to each other. But, no need to stress out the kids right now. It will be made clear next year when they are told all kids take all exams, even if they already have a verified credit. And, it will mean kids actually have to be in school during the last 2 weeks of school.

Look up HB189 that repeals the 10%-it has passed in VA House.

Anonymous wrote:Why aren't teachers talking about this to kids?

Because it doesn't apply this year, and the details haven't been worked out for next year.

Why aren't teachers talking about this to kids?

Does anyone has recent update on the 10% as well as increase in cut scores? Is it confirmed these changes will be rolled out the upcoming school year, August 2026?

https://www.fcps.edu/changes-standards-learning-assessments-virginia?utm_campaign+&utm_medium=email&utm_source=govdelivery

Watch Dr. Reid's message about the changes.
https://youtu.be/O9k9LvPQ_UA?si=mEA49R8HsBek8foH

Grade 7 to 12, SOL score to be counted as 10% of the final grade from 2026-2027.
Bill has already passed.
Details here-

https://www.fcps.edu/sites/default/files/media/pdf/SOL-Changes-Flyer.pdf