2018-2019 SOL Test Results Released: How Alexandria Did

ALEXANDRIA, VA — Standards of Learning (SOL) test results released on Tuesday show Alexandria City Public Schools with continuing challenges. The SOL results were impacted by changes in state standards and testing practices.

ACPS saw improvements in math results, including increases in proficiency for black, Hispanic, English learner and disadvantaged students by nine percentage points or more. There were slight declines in reading, writing, history and science. Here's the breakdown of results for 2018-2019 compared to last year's results:

Achievement gaps continue to exist between disadvantaged and non-disadvantaged students. Among disadvantaged students, 54.39 percent passed reading compared to 88.22 percent of non-disadvantaged students. For math, 60.35 percent of disadvantaged students and 86.64 percent of non-disadvantaged students passed. According to the latest demographics data from Oct. 31, 2018, 61.45 percent of the ACPS student population qualifies for free or reduced price meals.

The school district says it's "working to remove barriers for students so that they are provided the support necessary to achieve within ACPS and beyond."

ACPS performance on SOL tests came in below the statewide averages by subject level. In all Virginia schools, 78 percent of students passed reading, 76 percent passed writing, 82 percent passed math, 81 percent passed science and 80 percent passed history.

"While we are encouraged by these math results which show a higher level of students testing proficient, we still have much work to do," said ACPS Chief Academic Officer Dr. Terri H. Mozingo in a statement. "These results are the result of our strategic focus and the work we have all put in this last year and this work will need to continue."

ACPS implemented improvement planning for all schools with a focus on math in the previous school year. This planning included data analysis in quarterly meetings, monthly professional learning and intensive equity training for instructional leaders.

Next school year, ACPS will emphasize improving reading skills. "Our instructional leaders have been analyzing the data over the past year and have already outlined areas for improvement during the planning process for the upcoming school year," says ACPS in a statement. The school district has already implemented a new comprehensive elementary reading program, a focus on writing instruction at all grade levels and more.

The state introduced changes in testing practices and standards approved by the Virginia Board of Education for the 2018-2019 school year. The revisions reduced the number of SOL tests high school students must pass to graduate. Students who met the testing requirement in a subject area do not need to take the subject test again unless the school needs extra testing to meet federal requirements. Students also took new math SOL tests with revisions to state math standards.

To see full results by district or school level, visit the Virginia Department of Education website and click on SOL Test Results.