State Will Allow More Time for Writing SOLs

By WYDaily Staff Thursday, February 25, 2010

The Virginia Department of Education has granted school divisions extra time to prepare for the writing Standards of Learning tests.

School divisions can delay the essay portion of the SOL tests until March 17 to allow for time lost due to inclement weather, Superintendent Patricia I. Wright announced today. Both Williamsburg-James City County and York County schools plan to administer their tests as previously scheduled during the first week of March.

“This has been an extraordinary winter – even in areas of the state that typically do not miss a lot of instructional time because of snow and ice,” Wright said. “This additional date for the essay component of the writing test will provide flexibility for school divisions whose schedules have been significantly disrupted.”

SOL writing tests are taken in fifth, eighth and 11th grades. The tests assess writing skills over the years, rather than in one school year or semester. The test includes multiple-choice questions and a short essay.

In the event of more weather disruptions, Wright said the VDOE will work with schools affected to extend deadlines.