SOL Standardized Tests: How Alexandria City Public Schools Performed

ALEXANDRIA, VA — Alexandria City Public Schools' performances on the Standards of Learning standardized tests held steady in all five subjects.

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.

Alexandria City Public Schools had a 60 percent pass rate for English reading, compared to 61 percent last year. The math pass rate was 53 percent, up from 49 percent last year. Still, those were below the state averages of 73 percent for English reading and 69 percent for math.

The ACPS writing pass rate was 65 percent, on par with the state average and up from 62 percent last year. There was a 52 percent pass rate for science, compared to 49 percent last year and the state average of 67 percent. The history pass rate was 56 percent, up from 54 percent last year but below the state average of 65 percent.

"We are pleased to see that our SOL pass rates are moving in the right direction in ACPS, especially with increases in Math and Science, two areas that were highly impacted by the pandemic and have been a priority in our learning recovery initiatives," said Superintendent Melanie Kay-Wyatt in a statement. "We know there is still much work to be done as we continue to implement best instructional practices as we accelerate learning and focus on our students’ social, emotional and academic learning."

Among student groups, math and reading scores improved or stayed the same, although achievement gaps remain. In English reading, Hispanic students have a 44 percent pass rate compared to 56 percent of Black students, 61 percent of Asian students and 84 percent of white students. Students identified as English language learners have a 26 percent pass rate, compared to 27 percent of students with disabilities and 46 percent of economically disadvantaged students.

In math, Hispanic students had a 38 percent pass rate, compared to 46 percent of Black students, 59 percent of Asian students and 78 percent of white students. Students with disabilities had a 24 percent pass rate, compared to 29 percent of English language learners and 40 percent of economically disadvantaged students.

The SOL results come as the Alexandria City School Board is set to discuss priority areas for the 2023-2024 school year Thursday night.

Another concern noted by the Virginia Department of Education was chronic absenteeism. The state noted math and reading SOL pass rates were lower for students with less attendance. For example, the pass rate for reading was 73 percent for students missing less than 18 days of school, 47 percent for students who missed up to 27 days and 37 percent for students who missed up to 54 days. A statewide attendance campaign is being conducted to raise awareness about attendance and reducing barriers to attendance.