1. Teacher Efficacy & Training: Standards Of Learning And The At-Risk Student of standardized assessments such as the Virginia standards of learning tests, (sols), is having a tremendous impact who are not properly trained to teach. Research of the past two http://www.educationreview.homestead.com/TeacherTrainAtRisk.html

By Hope Jordan and Joan Johnson The purpose of this article is to explore the multifaceted and complex issue of standardized assessment and educational accountability and present results of an informal survey designed to explore the opinions of graduate students in a practitioner-based teacher preparation program regarding standards of learning and teacher training. The issues of appropriateness of SOL tests for at-risk learners and teacher feelings of efficacy following training were addressed in this survey. We feel the results yield useful information that will assist classroom teachers, teacher educators, and policy makers in their development of more effective training programs. In response to current teacher shortages, many schools are being forced to place unprepared individuals in classrooms on provisional licenses. Some alternative paths to teacher licensure may be appropriate to meet these challenges, however, not at the expense of professional standards and integrity. Many quick-fix strategies such as the practice of utilizing teachers in subjects areas in which they are not certified do not serve the best interests of students or teachers (Finding Good Teachers, 1999). Consequences of the imposition of these quick-fix strategies include high burnout rate and poor classroom discipline (Berliner, 2000). Most authorities agree there is a need to find a better solution to the teacher shortage than simply filling classrooms with people who are not properly trained to teach.

2. Arlington's Spring 2001 Standards Of Learning Scores Show Improvement In Achieve the proportion of students passing the 20002001 Virginia standards of learning tests ((sols)) that will result in also ensured that what we teach has not been reduced to that http://www.arlington.k12.va.us/publicinfo/press_releases/0102/080901_sol.html

Arlington Public Schools SCHOOL AND COMMUNITY RELATIONS 1426 N. QUINCY ST. ARLINGTON, VIRGINIA 22207 PHONE FAX For Immediate Release August 9, 2001 Contact: Linda Erdos Arlington's Spring 2001 Standards of Learning Scores Show Improvement in Achievement Arlington Public Schools achieved an increase in the proportion of students passing the 2000-2001 Virginia Standards of Learning tests (SOLs) that will result in at least 15 schools being fully accredited according to the 2007 standards. "These results, in the main, are very positive," said Dr. Robert Smith, Arlington Superintendent. "They reflect the sustained and hard effort of students, teachers, principals and central instructional staff who, on one hand, have ensured that instruction accounted for the Standards of Learning. On the other hand, they have also ensured that what we teach has not been reduced to that which is tested. They have continued to focus on the richness and the rigor represented in the Arlington curriculum." Mary Hynes, Chair of the Arlington School Board, commented on this year's improved results, noting, "These SOL gains reflect our community's continuing financial commitment to excellence for all of Arlington's children. Last year, the School Board was able to direct resources toward stretching gifted students, encouraging and supporting under-performing students and attracting and retaining high quality staff to work in all our schools. At the same time, we were able to invest in the arts and in technology as important areas of study which enhance and extend our students' learning far beyond the SOLs. We're proud of all the work done last year by our talented staff and incredible students."

3. Standards Of Learning high academic standards, known as the "standards of learning " or "(sols) ". tests to measure student progress in rich understanding of the content(s) they teach and to appreciate how http://www.spotsylvania.k12.va.us/instruction/sol.htm

Search for: Instructional Programs To respond to a perceived need to raise students’ achievement levels, the Virginia Board of Education initiated a sweeping reform of the K-12 education system in 1994. That reform is grounded in the belief that all students in Virginia, regardless of their background or where they live, deserve a quality education. The reform consists of four major elements: high academic standards, known as the "Standards of Learning," or "SOLs," tests to measure student progress in the Standards of Learning, measures to ensure accountability for student achievement, and communication to parents and the community through a School Performance Report Card. Between May, 1994-January, 1995, lead school divisions were selected to develop standards in the four major content areas of English, mathematics, science, and social studies. Writing teams were convened to develop working drafts and distribute them across the state for field review. This initial phase was followed by refinement by the Superintendent of Public Instruction, the Virginia Department of Education and other interested groups and individuals. The standards were then submitted to the Virginia Board of Education for consideration. The Virginia Board of Education released the draft SOLs for public comment during the spring of 1995. Ten public hearings were held throughout the state. The standards were approved by the Virginia Board of Education in June, 1995 and then distributed to local school divisions for incorporation into their K-12 curricula.

4. Standards Of Learning For Mathematics to teach the (sols) more effectively. SOL Test Results by school. Spring 2001 Released tests. standards of learning for http://www.pen.k12.va.us/go/Sols/math.html

Mathematics Standards of Learning for Virginia Public Schools Board of Education Commonwealth of Virginia Richmond, Virginia 23216-2120 June 1995 Mathematics Standards of Learning for Virginia Public Schools Board of Education James P. Jones, President Lewis M. Nelson, Vice-President Malcolm S. McDonald Martha V. Pennino Alan L. Wurtzel Peter G. Decker Michelle Easton Rayford L. Harris, Sr. Lillian F. Tuttle Superintendent of Public Instruction William C. Bosher, Jr. Commonwealth of Virginia Board of Education Post Office Box 2120 Richmond, Virginia 23216-2120 June 1995 Table of Contents Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Mathematics Standards of Learning Kindergarten Grade One Grade Two Grade Three ... Computer Mathematics Mathematics Mathematics Standards of Learning Kindergarten Mathematics Standards of Learning Grade One Mathematics Standards of Learning Grade Two Mathematics Standards of Learning Grade Three Mathematics Standards of Learning Grade Four Grade Five Computer/Technology Standards by the End of Grade Five Mathematics Standards of Learning Grade Six Grade Seven Mathematics Standards of Learning Grade Eight Computer/Technology Standards by the End of Grade Eight Mathematics Standards of Learning Algebra I Mathematics Standards of Learning Geometry Mathematics Standards of Learning Algebra II Mathematics Standards of Learning

5. TCPS - Standards Of Learning to enable classroom teachers to teach the (sols) more effectively SOL Test Resultsby school Spring 2001 Released tests standards of learning for Virginia Public http://tazewell.k12.va.us/web1/sites/sols.htm

Tazewell County Public Schools Virginia Standards of Learning Resource Categories TCPS Online Research General K-12 Resources Agriculture Art and Music ... Special Education Virginia Standards of Learning Vocational Education Webpage Resources TCPS Resources Main Page Algebra Resource Center Resources, activities, and lesson plans designed and categorized for the Algebra SOL Commonwealth of Knowledge First Lady Roxane Gilmore designed this website for Virginia teachers Lesson Plans for K-12 Social Studies Classes Lessons developed by UVA's Curry School of Education to help teachers implement the new Virginia Standards of Learning . Released items from 1998 SOL Connection Clearinghouse of curriculum resources for the Standards of Learning that have been contributed by teachers, curriculum specialists, and other educator . SOL Curriculum Guides Teaching guides written by teachers from Lynchburg City, Bedford, Appomattox and Pittsylvania Counties SOL Resources Instruction, Training,and Assessment Resources

6. Virginia Delegate W.B. "Benny" Keister Virginia's colleges and universities take and pass- the standards of learning ((sols))tests. have little choice but to teach to the tests while gallantly http://www.delegatebennykeister.com/desk20.htm

Feb. 6, 2002 Stirring Up Some SOL Dust Back in December, I prefiled legislation that would have required that students who wished to attend Virginia's colleges and universities take- and pass- the Standards of Learning (SOLs) tests. Presently, most of Virginia's public high school students are required to take the tests in math, science, history, and English. And while the "cut" scores- scores that determine pass or fail- have been altered some, the SOLs remain a major factor in determining whether a Virginia student is promoted from one grade to another, receives remediation, and graduates from high school. The tests directly affect a Virginia school accreditation and ultimately may determine an individual teacher's evaluation. The controversy and discontent surrounding these tests certainly has not gone away since the first tests were administered five years ago. If anything, the tests have become a larger-than-life issue between the legislators and state officials who have determined that these standardized tests will be used almost exclusively to assess student success and the parents/educators who seek to use the tests in a more reasonable context.

7. December 2001 NetLetter Feature 1 professor at Virginia Tech, has been trying to teach the 270 our school systems areso structured, with the (sols) standards of learning tests and their 'Do http://www.vtnetletter.vt.edu/dec01/feature1.html

SOME TOYS REALLY DO BELONG ON THE ISLAND OF MISFITS Hottest toys for Christmas often lack educational value, Tech professor says By KEVIN MILLER THE ROANOKE TIMES Students in Cosby Rogers' human development class at Virginia Tech learned it isn't easy to find toys that challenge children's minds. As someone who has devoted her career to the science of playing, Cosby Rogers has watched, year after year, as the latest high-tech toys create a stir among critics and fly off store shelves as fast as they come in. Robotic dogs. The latest and greatest video game system. Gremlin-looking creatures capable of repeating phrases and mocking conversation. While those high-tech gadgets may be great sources of entertainment, Rogers, a child - development specialist at Virginia Tech, finds them lacking in what she believes is toys' most important role: education. When it comes to toys that teach, nothing replaces the basic "Bs" of playtime: building blocks, balls, baby dolls or books, Rogers said. Unlike many of today's high-tech gadgets that seem to think for themselves, simple toys such as Legos and Lincoln Logs require imagination - something children are filled with, Rogers said. "The more the toy can do, the less the child can do," she said. That's the lesson Rogers, an associate professor at Virginia Tech, has been trying to teach the 270 students in her Human Develo ment I class for the past several weeks. On Wednesday, about two dozen of Rogers' students put that knowledge into practice - and helped out a local charity at the same time - during what amounted to an educational shopping spree.

8. Comp.Plan- Education 8. Invest in technology that allows faculty to teach better and reach more students. GOAL7 — Promote effective use of standards Of learning tests.((sols)). http://www.co.fluvanna.va.us/compplan/chap13.htm

Fluvanna County Comprehensive Plan Return to Table of Contents Chapter 13 - Education Existing Conditions Public Schools Fluvanna County has a school-age census of 3,000+ students and is experiencing a dropout rate of less than 3 percent on average. Actual and projected school enrollment can be found on Chart 5 , page 77. County educational resources include four elementary schools, one middle school and one high school. The County also contains a public library and several private facilities that work with students in day-care, nursery school and camp settings. Additional educational opportunities are available in the form of Piedmont Virginia Community College classes and courses, GED and ABE programs, volunteers in literacy programs and distance-learning programs. The County Cooperative Extension office offers classes from parenting to food safety and is a good place to learn basic knowledge and skills. The public school system is operating on a 990-hour/180-day school year with a remedial summer plan. The curriculum is based on the state Standards of Learning (SOLs), which are being implemented in all public schools within the state. The Standards of Learning is a program that focuses on four core subjects - language, mathematics, science, and social studies. The Standards are assessed for credit via a criterion-referenced test. The curriculum also allows for classes and activities in band, art, foreign language and vocational preparation. The student-teacher ratio averages 22 to one. A comparison of per pupil expenditure can be found on

9. Science Standards Of Learning (sols), standards assessment resources. Table of Contents F. Why National standards and tests? Politics and the reinforce the standards of learning mandated by the Commonwealth of http://www.pen.k12.va.us/go/Sols/science.html

Science Standards of Learning for Virginia Public Schools Board of Education Commonwealth of Virginia Richmond, Virginia 23216-2120 June 1995 Science Standards of Learning for Virginia Public Schools Board of Education James P. Jones, President Lewis M. Nelson, Vice-President Malcolm S. McDonald Martha V. Pennino Alan L. Wurtzel Peter G. Decker Michelle Easton Rayford L. Harris, Sr. Lillian F. Tuttle Superintendent of Public Instruction William C. Bosher, Jr. Commonwealth of Virginia Board of Education Post Office Box 2120 Richmond, Virginia 23216-2120 June 1995 A SPECIAL MESSAGE Table of Contents Introduction K - 12 Safety The Role of Instructional Technology in Science Education Investigate and Understand . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Science Standards of Learning Kindergarten Grade One Grade Two Grade Three ... Physics Science K-12 Safety The Role of Instructional Technology in Science Education Investigate and Understand Science Standards of Learning Kindergarten Science Standards of Learning Grade One Science Standards of Learning Grade Two Science Standards of Learning Grade Three Science Standards of Learning Grade Four Science Standards of Learning

10. Assessment & Standards Of Learning Resources lesson plans, teacher resources and online discussion information, web links, andeven links to practice SOL tests online Virginia State standards of learning http://www.lib.vt.edu/subjects/educ/sols.html

Table of Contents Assessment Web Sites Standards-Related Web Sites Recent Publications Virginia SOL Resources Web Sites Devoted to Assessment Chicago Public Schools Megasite . Provides users with everything you could ever want t know about rubrics and performance assessment under "ideas and rubrics." Eighmey's Think Tank . Includes theoretical, background, resources, and procedures regarding rubric development. ERIC Clearinghouse on Assessment, Evaluation, and Research . An excellent ERIC gateway site devoted to providing quality information on assessment and evaluation. The Interactive ClassroomPerformance and Authentic Assessment . Andi Stix, Ed.D., offers information about rubrics. Files are in PDF format. Kathy Schrock's Guide for Educators . Kathy Schrock is presently the Technology Coordinator of the Dennis-Yarmouth Regional School District in South Yarmouth, Massachusetts, where she has been both a library media specialist and in her current position for over ten years. She has authored many books dealing with technology, research, evaluting internet resources for K12 students and educators.. This site assembles important information regarding types of rubrics, building and evaluating rubrics, and online resources for rubrics.

11. Information About Our Schools standards OF learning OBJECTIVES ((sols)). The Virginia State Assessment Program components(standards of learning tests and Stanford 9) coupled with tests http://www.caroline.k12.va.us/about.html

12. State And International Assessment by administering the standards of learning (SOL) test in that covers all of the standards’content areas Virginia SOL tests affect the classroom by providing http://education.cortland.edu/teach/papers/vaassessment.html

State and International Assessment Assessment is the driving force behind every aspect of teaching today. There is an increasing focus on grades, as well as a growing concern for US performance, in schools compared to others abroad. As a result, standards of learning have not only been developed for each state, but are now being strictly enforced as well. This has caused much controversy over the effectiveness and legitimacy of the standards and over their consequences. By examining various educational resources, in addition to speaking with teachers and administrators, contrasting views become clearer. Speaking with various educators from the greater Charlottesville area paints a less than perfect picture of SOL assessment. "SOLs truly drive the curriculum. Now, teachers teach to the standards. They even go as far as teaching the students test taking skills," says a local administrator. This view is shared by all those interviewed. Educators assert that the SOLs are not age-appropriate and that they monopolize instruction as well. Knowledge and skills necessary in the real world take a back seat to preparing students for the end of the year assessment. When asked whether the science SOLs are traditional or innovative, one classroom teacher’s response was "SOLs are neither traditional nor innovative. They think they’re innovative, but they are a return to rote memorization. They test facts rather than concepts."

13. The Truth About SOLs National professional standards for test use and recommendations of education andsupport for learning, and community scores. Further, the SOL tests were not http://www.fairtest.org/arn/The Truth About SOLs.htm

The Truth About the SOLs The Virginia Board of Education says that: The SOL program will improve public education by holding everyone to high standards through high-stakes testing. TRUTH: It is a common, but untrue, assumption that high-stakes testing produces improved learning and student achievement. Test scores rise, in large part, because of more focus on expected test content and more familiarity with the tests. The SOL program will narrow instruction and undermine education quality as teachers are forced to teach to the tests and short-change the rest of the curriculum simply to raise test scores. Low-income, minority, limited English, and special needs students are especially subject to getting drill and test practice instead of rich and varied education programs. They are at higher risk of being denied diplomas or dropping out in frustration before reaching12th grade. High standards cannot be maintained and education improved for all simply by raising the stakes for students. SOL test scores are the single best measure of students' and schools'performance and should be the primary criteria for graduation and accreditation.

14. SOLs The Latest In Testing students will have to pass at least six of 12 standards of learning tests or other schoolscan receive based on their students' pass rates on SOL tests. http://www.has.vcu.edu/mac/ujw02/sols.htm

15. Teacherpage standards of learning ((sols)). During fifth grade, students participatein Virginia state assessments, standards of learning tests. http://www.fcps.k12.va.us/WoodlawnES/fifth/solspage.htm

Standards of Learning (SOLs) During fifth grade, students participate in Virginia state assessments, Standards of Learning tests. The fifth grade teachers are committed to preparing students for this significant test. Fifth graders have SOL test prepping sessions once a week that teach students strategies for taking a standardized test. There is an after school SOL Remediation class that begins in February for students to receive extra reinforcement of their everyday skills. The fifth grade teachers are also available after school two days a week for students that are having difficuty in a subject area. Students complete a state assessment in English through the Direct Writing test given in March. During the month of May, students will complete the SOL tests in English, Reading, Mathematics, Science and Computer Technology. Back to Fifth Grade Page Last update: September 4, 2001 Created by: Kim Faxon Curator: E.Maria Roberts

16. Welcome To Asbury... can go to for additional resources on the Virginia standards of learning ((sols)). JeffersonLab, is another excellent web site for taking practice SOL tests. http://www.sbo.hampton.k12.va.us/asbury/sols/sol.html

The following SOLs are listed by grade level. We strongly encourage parents to download these documents for your child's respective grade level. These files, known as Curriculum Frameworks, are what our teachers use to plan their lessons. These documents do an excellent job of "unpacking" the VA SOLs and provide you with the "essential knowledge" your child will be held accountable for on his/her grade level. Please call Mr. Caggiano at 850-5075 if you have any questions about the documents or the downloading process.The files are in PDF format, you must have Adobe Acrobat to view them. Math SOLs Kindergarten 1st Grade 2nd Grade 3rd Grade 4th Grade 5th Grade History SOLs Kindergarten 1st Grade 2nd Grade 3rd Grade 4th Grade 5th Grade Science SOLs Kindergarten 1st Grade 2nd Grade 3rd Grade 4th Grade 5th Grade English SOLs Kindergarten 1st Grade 2nd Grade 3rd Grade 4th Grade 5th Grade Take a Practice SOL Test This page of our website offers Asbury students and their parents access to an on-line testing program. This program affords our students the opportunity to take practice SOL tests from home, the library, and from any location where access to the world-wide-web is available. Many of the questions are actual test questions used on the VA Standards of Learning (SOL) Assessments and were obtained from the . Additional questions were written and supplied by teachers at Asbury Elementary. Have fun and take as many tests as you would like!

17. TimesDispatch.com 'Be-all And End-all'? way to reinforce what their children are learning in school machines the thirdgradescience standards require pupils (sols) and other states' high-stakes tests. http://www.timesdispatch.com/news/education/MGBOTQC3R6D.html

18. The SOLs Are A Big Part Of Learning to do as an outward manifestation of learning in response The emphasis placed onthese standards has set the success of instruction through SOL tests, it is http://www.veaweteach.org/good.html

The SOLs Are a Big Part of Learning, But Is There More to a Good Education? In a world of perfect logic, and predictable outcomes, the Standards of Learning are vitally important, says Valerie N. Morphew. What happens though in the illogical, unpredictable world we inhabit? What about appreciation, respect and a sense of wonder? The author of this think piece reminds us to consider the world of education beyond the SOLs. What the SOLs Don't Tell Us by Valerie N. Morphew But what else happened? In the world of science, room is permitted for the unexpected. Shouldn't the same be true in the classroom? There's learning beyond the test What is there about learning that the bubble test can't measure? In short, while SOLs and other performance objectives are essential to steer the direction of learning, they don't account for all the learning that goes on in a classroom. I am grateful that my junior high science teacher was receptive to the question, "But what else happened?" Fortunately for me, I can answer, "A guinea pig was born." Morphew is an assistant professor of education at Longwood College in Farmville.

19. Virginia School Report Card Downloadable Files is outlined in the standards of learning ((sols)). Accreditation—The Regulations Establishingstandards for Accrediting and history SOL tests is reported as a http://va-reportcards.vipnet.org/html/glossary.html

Virginia School Report Cards Glossary Dropouts —Students in grades 7-12 who leave school before graduation and do not transfer to another school are considered dropouts. Dropout information is reported for any school with a grade 7 or higher. General Educational Development (GED) Certificates —This number indicates high school students who earned a GED. Adults earning a GED certificate through adult education programs are not included in these numbers. Limited English Proficient —Students who are identified as limited-English-proficient (English as a Second Language) are expected to take and pass the SOL tests; however, these students may be granted an exemption from taking the tests for one grade level only at grades 3, 5, or 8. For School years 1997-98 and 1998-99, LEP students’ scores will not be included in the calculation and reporting of school-wide scores. Paired Schools —School accreditation is based on student performance on the SOL tests. SOL tests are administered to students in grades 3, 5, 8, and high school. Schools that do not house these grades or offer courses for which SOL tests exist are paired with another school in the division housing one or more of the grades or courses in which SOL tests are administered. The pairings are at the recommendation of the division superintendent. Standards of Learning (SOL) —In June 1995, the Virginia Board of Education adopted new, more rigorous student academic standards in the four core content areas of English, mathematics, science, and history and social science. What a student is expected to know and be able to do at each grade level and in certain high school courses is outlined in the Standards of Learning (SOLs). The SOLs form the basis for the SOL tests administered to students in grades 3, 5, 8, and in 11 high school courses.

20. FETConnections - Winter 2000 The Strands indicate what standards of learning ((sols)) and additional for the yearas well as provides the student scores on the Stanford 9 and SOL tests. http://www.fetc.org/fetcon/1101/badolato.htm

Project ECOLE - Virginia Computer Institute and Manassas Park City Schools, Jennifer K. Badolato Project ECOLE is an Electronic Community Of Learning and Education. It is Manassas Park City School System's curriculum in an automated format created by Virginia Computer Institute. Together, we have constructed a web page format for our curriculum and have linked the curriculum to the National Standards and the Virginia Standards of Learning. We have three different webs: a Kindergarten through fifth grade web, a sixth through eighth grade web, and a ninth through twelfth grade web. This project is unique in that it is the only automated curriculum in Virginia. An impressive tool in the project is the 1,500 teacher-created activities designed to teach the National Standards which are linked to the Virginia Standards of Learning. The activities are done in a lesson plan format complete with topic, description, a materials list, directions, scoring rubric, extended activities and resource list. If there are any necessary worksheets, they have been scanned in and are accessible through Adobe Acrobat. Project Partners Explore the Weather The Project Partners component allows the teachers in our school system to work collaboratively on a topic with teachers from other school systems. Through e-groups, the teachers and students can communicate over the Internet and simultaneously explore a topic. This is a very exciting component of Project ECOLE and expands the scope of learning for students and teachers all over the world.

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