A Parent's Guide to Virginia's Standards of Learning Program
Source: State: Virginia Department of Education
Topics: Middle Years (5-9), Virginia, State Tests, more...
Topics: Middle Years (5-9), Virginia, State Tests, more...
What Are Virginia’s Standards of Learning?
Standards of Learning set expectations for teaching and learning.
They are statements of knowledge and skills that every child is
expected to learn and use in solving day-to-day problems and to be
a productive citizen. These standards were developed with the
assistance of thousands of parents, teachers, business leaders,
college professors, and other educators united by their concern for
quality education.
While there are standards in many areas, the core standards clarify
what students are expected to know and accomplish in the
following subjects:
- English
- math
- science
- history and social science (including geography, economics, and civics)
- computer technology
Through the standards, knowledge and skills acquired during the course of a school year build a foundation for subsequent learning. However, the standards are not - and are not intended to be - the entire curriculum for a grade level or course. The standards are organized by grade levels to help teachers choose content and skills appropriate for their students. Teachers are encouraged to go beyond the standards in their instructional program and decide which teaching methods to use with their students. A copy of the Standards of Learning for Virginia Public Schools is sent home for children to share with their families. This document is also found on the Department of Education Web site: www.pen.k12.va.us/VDOE/Superintendent/Sols/home.shtml.
If you do not have a copy of the Standards of Learning for Virginia Public Schools, contact your child’s school.
How Is Student Learning Measured?
Standards of Learning tests are given in grades 3, 5, and 8, andfor certain courses in high school.
- Some students may take tests at other grade levels based on the school’s curriculum.
- Students who take courses for high school credit in middle school also take the related Standards of Learning tests.
- Tests are given in English, math, science, history, and computer technology.
- The tests measure content knowledge, scientific and mathematical processes, and reasoning.
- The tests in English are for reading and writing. For the writing test students must write a composition. All other tests are multiple choice.
- Tests are untimed, which means that students have as much time as they need to answer the questions.
- Tools needed to complete a test, such as rulers and calculators, are provided.
- New test questions, approved by Virginia teachers, are added each year while others are removed or “retired.” Copies of the Spring 2000 tests can be found on the Department of Education Web site, located at www.pen.k12.va.us/VDOE/Assessment/release2000/.
- High school students have the option to substitute other standardized tests for the end-of-course tests, such as Advanced Placement (AP), SAT II, College-Level Examination Program (CLEP), and International Baccalaureate (IB). A full list of Board of Education-approved substitute tests is available on the Web site at www.pen.k12.us/VDOE/Instruction/ Subassess.html.
How Will I Know How My Child Did on the Standards of Learning Tests?
Test results are sent to parents in a document called Report to Parents: Virginia Standards of Learning Assessments. The report
includes:
- A listing of the tests taken, such as English, math, science, history, and computer technology.
- The number of questions the student answered correctly for each test, as well as the total number of test questions.
- A summary of the student’s performance for each test on a scale from 0-600. A student must receive a score of 400 or higher to pass the test. If a student scores 500 or more, he or she is considered to have performed at an advanced level, while a student scoring between 0-399 is considered to have failed the test.
- Each subject is divided into separate reporting categories. Each reporting category shows the number of questions the student answered correctly for each reporting category, and the total number of test questions in each reporting category.
- The Spring 2000 released test questions are available on the Department of Education Web site at www.pen.k12.va.us/VDOE/ Assessment/release2000/. You will also find suggestions and learning activities you can use with your child at home.
- Some sample questions from the 1998 test appear on the following pages. Answers are found on the inside back cover.
What Types of Things Are Taught through the Standards of Learning?
For specific information by subject or grade level, please refer to the Standards of Learning for Virginia Public Schools booklet or
the Web site, www.pen.k12.va.us/VDOE/Superintendent/Sols/home.shtml.
In Grades K through 3, What Do Children Need to Know?
In grades kindergarten through 3, the focus of the instructional program is the development of basic skills in reading, writing, and
math. They learn to read a variety of literature; and learn to use a variety of methods to solve problems involving addition and subtraction of whole numbers. Students begin to build science concepts and begin to understand their world through exploring topics in social studies. Students conduct investigations of the natural world including weather, food chains, and components of soil; and learn about the discovery and colonization of America, and the basic functions of government.
Sample Test
Questions K-3
0
5
10
15
20
25
30
35
40
Frogs Lizards Penguins Bears
Gift-Wrap Sales
Kind of Paper
Number of Rolls Sold
HISTORY
The ancient Chinese built the Great
Wall mainly to —
A provide water for their
crops
B honor their emperors
C protect against invaders
D teach their building
methods to other people
Maryland is marked with the letter -
A A
B B
C C
D D
MATH
The third-grade students at
Larkfield Elementary School sold
gift-wrapping paper to earn money
for the school library. This bar
graph shows how many rolls of
each kind of paper they sold.
Which two kinds of paper sold a
total of 60 rolls?
A Frogs and Bears
B Bears and Penguins
C Lizards and Frogs
D Lizards and Penguins
SCIENCE
In which pot will the water
evaporate the fastest?
A C
B D
In Grades 4 and 5, What Do Children Need to Know?
In grades 4 and 5, students continue to develop basic skills in reading, writing, and math. They read classics and contemporary
literature by a variety of authors and documents related to the study of Virginia; and develop a proficiency in using whole
numbers, fractions, and decimals to solve problems. Students are introduced to the basic principles of electricity, energy, sound, and light; and learn about people, ideas, and events in time and history with emphasis on Virginia and United
States history. In addition, by the end of grade 5, students should understand computer principles and technology, be able to process, store, retrieve, and send electronic information, and communicate using software.
Sample Test
Questions 4-5
ENGLISH: WRITING
Read this next section of Keisha’s rough draft and answer the questions
below. This section has groups of underlined words. The questions ask about
these groups of underlined words.
(14)I wanted to give Peeper some talking lessons, just in case, while I were
waiting to find out. (15)My father told me how to train Peeper. (16)“Choose
one short sentence,” he said. (17)”Say it to Peeper over and over, every chance
you get.” (18)I decided to teach Peeper how to say, “Peeper is a pretty bird.”
(19)I said it twenty times a day.
(20)One morning, I lifted the cover from Peepers cage. (21)I looked at his
face and noticed that his cere was bright blue.
(22)“Peeper is a pretty bird!” he said.
In sentence 14, while I were waiting
should be written -
A while I have been
waiting
B while I am waiting
C while I was waiting
D as it is
In sentence 20, Peepers cage should
be written -
F Peeper’s cage.
G Peeper’es cage.
H Peepers’ cage.
J as it is
MATH
Happy Holiday Park is in the shape of a
circle. If Jessica walks around the
outside edge of the park, what part of a
circle has she walked?
A Chord
B Circumference
C Diameter
D Radius
SCIENCE
Which of these would be used to
measure the mass of a pencil?
A C
B D
HISTORY
Before the U.S. Constitution was
adopted, the goverment of the colonies
was based on the —
A Declaration of Independence
B New Jersey Plan
C Articles of Confederation
D Bill of Rights
COMPUTER/TECHNOLOGY
If a file is accidentally erased, what is
the best way to get the information
back?
A Re-enter the information
B Use the back-up copy
of the file
C Cut and paste the file
D Restart the computer
In Grades 6 through 8, What Do Children Need to Know?
In grades 6 through 8, the focus of the instructional program is the preparation of students for high school. They study and use oral communication skills, examine the impact of media on public opinion, and learn and apply interviewing techniques. Students continue to investigate mathematical concepts in preparation for Algebra I. They continue to conduct systematic
investigations and study life science, natural resource management, and physical science. In addition, by the end of grade 8, students should become more skilled at communication using computer software, networks, and telecommunications; and practice processing, storing, retrieving, and transmitting electronic information.
Sample Test
Questions 6-8
MATH
Tamika and her brother played a
board game with a number cube
with sides numbered from 1 to 6.
On her last roll, Tamika needed a 5
or greater to win the game. What is
the probability she won the game?
A 1/6
B 2/6
C 3/6
D 4/6
Point A is the center of the circle.
Which is closest to the
circumference of the circle?
A 15.7 ft
B 31.4 ft
C 62.8 ft
D 314.1 ft
SCIENCE
The major contribution of
mushrooms, bacteria, fungi, and
other decomposers to a Virginia
forest ecosystem is that they -
A hold the soil in place
B recycle nutrients
C provide energy for
producers
D supply moisture for
animals in the soil
A
10 ft
COMPUTER/TECHNOLOGY
When Melissa was asked to help with
the talent show costumes, she
decided to look up designs on the
Internet. Which piece of software
creates the most user-friendly
environment for her to explore the
Internet?
A E-mail
B Web browser
C Home page
D Video connector
HISTORY
All of the following contributed to
the start of the Great Depression
except —
A overproduction of industrial
goods
B increase in personal savings
C high tariffs on imported
goods
D expansion of easy credit
How Can Parents Help?
- Read aloud to your child, beginning at an early age.
- Require regular attendance in school.
- Encourage good study habits.
- Be familiar with the curriculum associated with your child’s classes and grades.
- Talk to your child about what he or she is learning in specific subjects.
- Expect homework of some kind to be done every night.
- Set aside a specific time for homework.
- Ask questions about your child’s homework.
- See that your child brings home and reviews class notes and other work done in school that day.
- Help your child balance study time with recreational time.
- Think of activities your child can do at home that relate to information being taught in school.
- Help your child apply his or her school learning to real-life situations in the news or life.
- Emphasize the importance of high academic achievement. Let your child know that you understand that tests may be challenging, but that taking them provides the opportunity to show how much he or she has learned.
- Be supportive and encouraging.
Take Action
- this article with friends and family.
- Have a question about Middle Years (5-9)? Ask it here.
- Publish your work on education.com.
