SOL Standardized Tests: How Stafford County Schools Performed

STAFFORD COUNTY, VA — SOL scores dropped slightly in three areas for Stafford County Public Schools in 2023. Scores rose in one area and held steady in the fifth subject area.

The Virginia Department of Education released Standards of Learning standardized test results for 2023 Thursday. Statewide results show overall rates remaining the same for reading and writing, increases for math and science and one percentage point decrease for history.

However, the Virginia Department of Education raised concerns about significant numbers of students in the "low proficient" level that may have failed before passing cut scores were lowered between 2018-2019 and 2020-2021. Achievement gaps also remain among certain student groups.

Stafford County Public Schools had a 71 percent pass rate in 2023, down from 73 in 2022. Writing and history scores also declined in 2023. The writing pass rate dipped to 51 percent, while history and social sciences saw a 64 percent pass rate.

More Stafford students passed their math SOL in 2023. The pass rate increased from 61 percent to 65 percent. The science pass rate held steady at 65 percent.

Based on its test scores, the Virginia Department of Education deemed the Stafford school system "fully accredited."

In a news release, Stafford County Schools superintendent Thomas Taylor said there is plenty of room for improvement.

"There are a lot of gaps to fill. The top two priorities in our Elevate Stafford strategic plan call for improved opportunities to prepare our kids for future success and higher expectations and support for academic achievement," Taylor said. "We recognize that there is a lot of room for improvement in these areas and we are committed to continuous improvement that leads to Stafford Schools becoming the highest performing school division in the Commonwealth."

Taylor noted that absent rates is the biggest concern for student performance in Stafford County.

"There is a direct correlation between absenteeism and proficient levels of student achievement. Our students need to be in school, and they need to be engaged every day,” Taylor said. “Simply stated, daily attendance is critical to student success. We need our students in school and we need the support of our parents and community to make that happen.”

Detailed information about SOL scores, including passing rates by individual schools, is available online