The Standards of Learning (SOL) for Virginia Public Schools establish minimum expectations for what students should know and be able to do at the end of each grade or course in English, Mathematics, Science, History, Social Science, and other subjects.

SOL tests measure the success of students in meeting the Board of Education’s expectations for learning and achievement. All items on SOL tests are reviewed by Virginia classroom teachers for accuracy and fairness, and teachers also assist the Virginia Board of Education in setting proficiency standards for the tests.

All students in tested grade levels and courses are expected to participate in Virginia’s assessment program, unless specifically exempted by state or federal law or by Board of Education regulations. Virginia’s assessment system includes students with disabilities and students who are English Learners (ELs). Students with disabilities and ELs may take Standards of Learning tests with or without accommodations or they may be assessed through the alternate assessment. The tests that comprise the Virginia Assessment Program are offered in English only; administration of the tests in other languages is not permitted.

Nelson County Students will participate in the following assessments as required by the Virginia Department of Education:

Legislation passed in the 2021 Virginia General Assembly (HB2027 and SB1357) required the implementation of “through-year” or “growth” assessments for reading and mathematics in grades 3-8. To ensure that the growth assessments administered for this purpose are aligned to the Standards of Learning (SOL), the Virginia Department of Education (VDOE) developed shorter computer adaptive tests (CAT) using existing SOL test items.

The legislation requires that the grades 3-8 reading and mathematics growth assessments be administered to students once in the fall and once in the winter (mid-year) during the school year. In addition to the growth assessments, the SOL tests for grade 3-8 reading and mathematics will continue to be administered.

• Grades 3-8: All students will participate in Fall and Winter Growth Assessments in Reading and Math

• Grade 3: Reading SOL, Math SOL, and local assessments in history and science

• Grade 4: Reading SOL, Math SOL, and VA Studies SOL

• Grade 5: Reading SOL, Integrated Reading and Writing SOL, Math SOL, Science SOL

• Grade 6: Reading SOL, Math SOL, and local assessment in US History I

• Grade 7: Reading SOL, Math SOL, and local assessment in US History II.  See the note below.

• Grade 8: Reading SOL, Integrated Reading and Writing SOL, Math SOL, Science SOL, and Civics & Economics SOL

• Grades 9-12 - To earn verified credits towards graduating, high school students participate in state assessments that are associated with certain classes in which they are enrolled.  The classes with an associated SOL test are as follows:

  • English 11 - Reading, Writing, Integrated Reading and Writing

  • Algebra I, Geometry, Algebra II,

  • Earth Science, Biology, Chemistry,

  • World Geography, World History I, World History II, and VA US History.

  • **Note: Starting with students entering the ninth grade in fall 2018, only SOL tests needed for a student to receive verified credit towards graduation will be required.  All students enrolled in Algebra I, Biology, and English 11 will be required to take the accompanying SOL assessment as these are mandated by ESSA for Federal Accountability measures.

The Virginia Alternate Assessment Program (VAAP) is designed to evaluate the performance of students with significant cognitive disabilities in grades 3-8 and high school. Beginning in the 2021-2022 school year, the portfolio-based VAAP was replaced with a new multiple-choice assessment in the content areas of reading, mathematics, and science that was administered to students in an online or paper format. 

The new VAAP is based on academic content standards derived from the Standards of Learning (SOL) in reading, mathematics, and science that have been reduced in depth, breadth, and complexity.  These content standards are referred to as the Virginia Essentialized Standards of Learning (VESOL).

Virginia Essentialized Standards of Learning (VESOL) (PDF)

As required in Section 1111 (b) (7) of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (ESEA), school divisions must annually assess the English language proficiency of all English learner (EL) students K-12.

Engaged parents and caregivers are a critical part of a child’s successful learning experiences. Reading with students and talking about what is being read is important to the development of strong readers. Talking about and doing math within the family is a great way to engage students and encourage success. Some of the many online resources available for reading, mathematics, science, and history and social science are provided to help parents and caregivers support their children and continue their learning at home.

The Virginia Assessment Parent Portal is a web-based portal from the Virginia Department of Education for parents with children in grades 3 through 8 to access math and reading growth assessments (administered in fall and winter) and grades 3-12 SOL tests results (administered in May).  Parents must have an account in the parent portal (see the Parent Portal User Guide to create your account).  You will only need one account if you have multiple children in grades 3 through 12.

• Link to Parent Portal

  • Parent Portal User's Guide

  • Parent Portal FAQs

  • Parent Portal Letter

NCPS- Parental Notification 

On December 10, 2015, the Every Student Succeeds Act of 2015 (ESSA) was signed into law. Section 1112(e)(2) of ESSA states that parents of students in Title I schools have a right to know about state or division policies regarding student participation in any assessments mandated by ESSA, including any policy, procedure, or parental right to opt students out of such assessments.

If you would like to receive information about this topic, please contact Dr. Ryan Yarzebinski, Director of Testing, at 434-260-7646, or in writing at P.O. Box 276 Lovingston, VA 22949. 

State Level Information

All students enrolled in Virginia public schools are expected to take the applicable state tests. The Virginia Board of Education Regulations Establishing Standards for Accrediting Public Schools in Virginia state:

“In kindergarten through eighth grade, where the administration of Virginia assessment program tests are required by the Board of Education, each student shall be expected to take the tests” and “each student in middle and secondary schools shall take all applicable end-of-course SOL tests following course instruction”
(8VAC20-131-30).

The Virginia regulations do not provide for what is sometimes referred to as an “opt out policy” for students regarding the Virginia assessments. However, parents may refuse to have their student participate in one or more of the required Virginia assessments. Parents should be aware that their student’s state assessment score report will reflect a score of “0” for any test that is refused.