SPRING 2021 SOL TESTING Information

Dr. Kim Jamison Assistant Principal and School Testing Coordinator

Mrs. Kelly Sells Information Technology Coach and Co-Testing Chair

Dr. Bridget CarterTitle I Math Teacher and Co-Testing Chair

River Oaks SOL Testing Schedule: Grade 5

Science: Wednesday, April 28

Reading Part 1: Tuesday, May 11 Reading Part 2: Wednesday, May 12

Math Part 1: Thursday, May 20 Math Part 2: Friday, May 21

SOL ASSESSMENTS: Information Shared with PWCS Families in February 2021

• In November of 2020, the US Education Department communicated their expectation that “states will, in the interest of students, administer summative assessments during the 2020-2021 school year, consistent with the requirements of the law and following the guidance of local health officials.”

• Consequently, VDOE shared that ESSA-mandated tests and those that help students earn verified credit must be administered.

PARENT REFUSALS OF SOL ASSESSMENTS

• The Virginia Board of Education has not established a policy related to opt-outs. Rather, “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” (VDOE, 2021).

• If families decide to refuse testing because they have concerns related to COVID-19, then their student’s score report will reflect “No Score,” but there should not be a negative impact on their student’s grade for the course. Refusals for other reasons will result in a score of “0” for the student.

• If a parent of a Virtual Only Student REFUSES an in-person SOL, the student is eligible to complete a Virtual SOL Test.

• Parents can also refuse that the student completes the Virtual SOL Test as well.

• Parents of in-person students may refuse any SOL assessment for COVID-related reasons, but those students will not be eligible for the Virtual SOL Assessment

Parent SOL Testing Form - DUE FRIDAY• Your child’s Teacher will send you the link to the form

• A completed form is REQUIRED for each student in grades 3-5

• Please complete and return the form as soon as possible, but no later than this FRIDAY, April 16

** Students taking the SOLs in-person will be required to come to school on testing days. Transportation is the responsibility of the parent. ** Students who are not testing due to COVID related refusal will be assigned Asynchronous Work to complete at home

VIRTUAL OPTION FOR REFUSALS

• The Virginia Department of Education is providing an alternative test for students who are not administered the SOL tests in spring 2021 due to COVID-19 concerns.

• The Virginia Remote Student Progress Tests (VRSPT) will be available for reading and mathematics in grades 3-5 and science in grades 5.

• Students eligible for this assessment are those who currently receive all instruction virtually and whose parents have refused to allow them to come to school to take an SOL test.

• For more information, see State Superintendent’s Memo #053-21.

ADMINISTRATION OF THE VRSPT

• Remote tests are intended to be untimed. • Divisions are encouraged to administer remote tests over 1 day; however,

tests for grades 3-5 mathematics and reading may be administered in two days.

• There are no retakes of VRSP tests. • Remote tests are not required to be proctored; they may be handled in

a similar manner as local benchmarks and classroom assessments.

• The VRSPT will not be used for accountability decisions.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ON THE VRSPTs

• Students receiving all instruction virtually and are refusing to take the SOL test in-person have the option to take the VRSPT

• Parents of all virtual students have the option to refuse the VRSPT

• As stated in Superintendent’s Memo #053-21, “the results of the Virginia Remote Student Progress Tests may be used to determine student achievement and to identify areas in which students may need additional instruction.”

IMPACT OF SPRING 2021 SOL ASSESSMENT ON ACCOUNTABILITY OF SCHOOLS

• The Virginia Board of Education has waived accreditation for the 2021-22 school year.

• Pass rates published on the School Quality profiles will not include test data for students whose families refuse SOL testing due to COVID.

• VDOE is still in the process of considering how federal accountability data will be compiled and calculated this year.

• PWCS Office of Accountability is focused on both state and federal accountability decisions for the future, based on the current rules, and will remain in constant communication with VDOE about the potential impact on our schools.

5th Grade SOL Resources

All resources will be emailed to students for them to review and complete.

Reading- Flanagan Practice Test

Math- Task Cards

Science- 4th and 5th grade Review Packet

Science Review Materials

Additional Resources from the county will be provided to parents and

students.

Math Review Materials

*Desmo 4 function calculator access on the computer

Additional resources will be

published on Canvas

Reading Resources

Additional Websites and Resources for SOLs

1) SOLpass.org River Oaks Elementary Password: dolphins

2) IXL Access through Clever

3) Lexia4) Dreambox5) Jefferson Lab – SOL Practice Tests https://education.jlab.org/solquiz/

QUESTIONS? Please Complete Our Form *Forms will be sent out by your child’s Teacher

*Questions and answers will be compiled and posted to Canvas and our School Website beginning Monday