Standards of Learning Test Participation Drops In Fairfax County

FAIRFAX COUNTY, VA —Fairfax County and Virginia schools as a whole saw declining participation in the spring 2021 Standards of Learning (SOL) tests.

At Fairfax County Public Schools, participation rates fell by an average 20 percent in reading, mathematics, and science. Around 50,000 tests were refused this year, compared to over 500 in 2018-19. SOL testing had been canceled in the 2019-2020 school year.

The SOL tests are federally required, but less students participated due to more flexible opt-outs granted to families who express concerns about COVID-19. Students are required to take the SOL assessments in person for the purpose of maintaining testing security protocols.

This year, results are for informational purposes and will not impact federal or state accountability systems due to the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. The Virginia Department of Education is giving all schools an "accreditation waived" rating for the 2020-2021 school year.

The SOL pass rates for FCPS among all participating students were 74 percent for reading, 82 percent for writing, 66 percent for history and social science, 61 percent for mathematics, and 65 percent for science.

The statewide pass rates were 69 percent for reading, 69 percent for writing, 54 percent for history and social science, 54 percent for mathematics, and 59 percent for science.

Due to lower participation than previous years, the Virginia Department of Education says comparing this year's SOL results to past years would not be accurate. The state's education department said pass rates are impacted by instruction disruptions, decreased participation in the tests, enrollment declines, fewer retakes and more flexible opt-outs.

The Virginia Department of Education also attributed the participation decline to a waiver of state accreditation for 2021-2022 and flexibility for awarding students verified credits for graduation from the Board of Education. High school students were able to defer SOL testing if the test was only needed for verified credit.

FCPS acknowledged the highest declines in pass rates happened with Hispanic students, economically disadvantaged students, and English learners. The decline for students with disabilities was "in line" with other students, according to FCPS.

"We know this past school year was challenging for many students both here in FCPS and across the state," said FCPS Superintendent Scott Brabrand. "Now, our focus is on ensuring we continue our strong return to school and provide comprehensive supports to fill in the gaps in learning as a result of the pandemic – both in terms of academics and social-emotional needs."

At the state level, the latest SOL results will " inform initiatives and policies to help schools and students recover from the disruptions to teaching and learning caused by COVID-19," according to the Virginia Department of Education. On the school division level, results provide insight into where students are excelling, and where they are struggling to adjust instruction and supports to meet individual academic needs.

FCPS has allocated $170 million of its pandemic relief funds through the American Rescue Plan's ESSER Fund III for academic and social-emotional learning supports. Use of the funds is outlined in the spending plan.

Full SOL results are available on the state and local level on the Virginia Department of Education website.