SOL End-Of-Course Tests - May 2021

Across Virginia this spring, high school students will be taking Standards of Learning (SOL) End-of-Course (EOC) tests. Federal and state education departments have decided not to cancel assessments. A Frequently Asked Questions webpage (https://www.fcps.edu/node/43148) provides more information about SOL EOC tests in Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS). 

In FCPS, high school non-writing SOL tests will be scheduled between April 12 and June 4, 2021. All SOL tests are taken in-person at school. SOL tests are not available for remote delivery from home. Our staff will schedule specific SOL testing dates for your student. 

• For students attending school virtually, we will schedule testing appointments when your student will come to school to complete their SOL assessments.
• For students attending school in-person, it will be necessary to schedule a testing appointment on a day when your student is not normally in the building. Please see the schedule below.  
• Bus transportation will be provided for all SOL testing appointments, as needed. By April 23, please complete this online Google intent form

https://forms.gle/hrtzZRt7AKa81GoB8

Contact Chris Bird, Assessment Coach, at our school if you need help accessing or completing the form. For best results, please have your student log into their @fcpsschools.net Google account to fill out the above form

In order to facilitate the number of testers coming to the building under current safety protocols, South County High School will be doing the bulk of SOL testing from May 17-May 19. In-Person students will not be attending classes on May 18 and 19 – those days will be “catch-up days” for students to work asynchronously from home.

 

SOL Refusal Due to Health and Safety Concerns

If you do not want your student to take SOL tests at school this spring, you have the right to defer or refuse testing. However, any decision to defer or refuse SOL tests should be made in consultation with school staff to allow full consideration of any potential implications for on-time graduation. The Right to Refuse Assessments webpage (https://www.fcps.edu/node/34277) offers important information as you consider this decision. If you believe you may wish to defer or refuse one or more SOL tests this spring, please complete this Google Intent form:

https://forms.gle/hrtzZRt7AKa81GoB8

For best results, please have your student log into their @fcpsschools.net Google account to fill out the above form.

The table below shows the SOL EOC non-writing tests available this spring for federal participation and/or verified credit. If you have questions about SOL testing, please contact your student’s school counselor or the assessment coach/school test coordinator at our school.

• Federal law requires schools to provide students one SOL test in reading, mathematics, and science while they are in grades 9-12. The tests provide information about student achievement to the parent, school, school division, and state. Scores are available for families no later than the start of the next school year. 
• Additionally, state law requires students to verify credit for high school courses in order to fulfill graduation requirements for a standard or advanced studies diploma. For additional information regarding graduation requirements see the Graduation Requirements and Course Planning webpage (https://www.fcps.edu/academics/graduation-requirements-and-course-planning). SOL tests are the most common way students earn the verified credits they need. SOL tests are designed to measure what students have learned of the content and skills detailed in the Virginia Standards of Learning. 

Content Area	Mathematics	Science	English	Social Studies*
Test	Algebra 1 Algebra 2 Geometry	Biology Chemistry Earth Science	Reading	Virginia and U.S. History World History 1 World History 2

 

 * Social studies SOL tests are only available for students with prior course credit who still need a test for verified credit and for students taking the social studies course through Edmentum or Multi-Agency Services. FCPS has adopted temporary state flexibility allowing the division to verify credit based on classroom performance assessment in place of the SOL test for all other students currently taking a social studies course. 

Reading End-Of-Course SOL Exam

 

High schools are required to offer the EOC Reading SOL test to all students taking a Grade 11 English course and AP Language and Composition because of a federal and state requirement. You will be scheduled to take this test unless you tell us you intend to use one of the options listed below.

As we approach this testing window, FCPS has shared with us a few flexibilities in light of COVID-19 that may impact your decision to participate in the Reading SOL.

Flexibility 1: Students with qualifying PSAT/NMSQT or SAT scores

If you have a qualifying PSAT/NMSQT or SAT score (a raw Reading score of 21 or higher), this test score can substitute for a passing score on the Reading SOL test. You still need to pass your English class this year, but if you decide to use your PSAT/NMSQT or SAT score instead of taking the SOL Reading test this spring, you will not need to test later for a  verified credit in Reading. 

Flexibility 2: Students enrolled in AP English Language and Composition

A score of 2 or higher on the AP English Language and Composition exam in May can substitute a passing score on the EOC Reading SOL.  You still need to pass your AP English Language and Composition class. 

In the coming weeks, students and their parents/guardians will receive additional information and options for spring testing. It is important that parents complete the form linked below to tell us if you intend to take the SOL Reading test, or if you would like to refuse the SOL Reading test and use your PSAT/NMSQT or AP score instead.  Forms are due April 23, 2021.

Reading SOL Refusal Intent Form: Spring 2021: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeXllt208G6WnNf-8qS2IaF-7G3iTYvBQ3dV-VarvJPFAtPRA/viewform?usp=sf_link

For best results, please have your student log into their @fcpsschools.net Google account to fill out the above form.

Note:  If you do not take the SOL due to COVID-19, please be aware that your spring SOL score report will show “No Score” for Reading.

If you have further questions, please contact your student's school counselor or Chris Bird, SCHS Assessment coach.