Testing programs required for state and federal accountability include the Virginia Standards of Learning (SOL) assessments, the Virginia Alternate Assessment Program (VAAP), the Virginia Substitute Evaluation Program (VSEP), and the Assessing Comprehension and Communication in English State-to-State for English Language Learners (ACCESS for ELLs) test.

The Office of Testing and Data Systems also supervises annual testing for Home-bound Instructed students.

The National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP), also known as "The Nation’s Report Card," is a project of the USA. Department of Education. In Richmond City Public Schools, NAEP is coordinated through the Data and Testing Services Office.

The Office of Testing and Data Systems is located at 2120 Fendall Ave. Richmond, VA 23222. The hours are 8:00 am to 4:30 pm,  Monday - Friday.  We are open based on the Richmond Public Schools approved calendar.

State Assessment Administration

About the Standards of Learning             

The Standards of Learning (SOL) for Virginia Public Schools describe the commonwealth's expectations for student learning and achievement in grades K-12 in English, Mathematics, Science, History/Social Science, Technology, Fine Arts, Foreign Language, Health and Physical Education, and Driver Education.

These standards represent a broad consensus of what parents, classroom teachers, school administrators, academics, business and community leaders believe schools should teach, and students should learn.

In the four core areas of English, Mathematics, Science, and History/Social Science, a curriculum framework also is provided that details the specific knowledge and skills students must possess to meet the standards for these subjects.

Current Standards of Learning are listed on the Virginia Department of Education website.

• SOL Test Administration: Responsible for test material management, training, reporting and distribution of score reports. Alternate Assessments (including VAAP and VSEP): Work with Exceptional Education and Student Services in test material and student data management, score entry and reporting.
• English Language Proficiency Assessment: Works with Title III Office in test material and student data management, test administration training, score reporting/distribution of the Assessing Comprehension and Communication in English State-to-State (ACCESS) for English Language Learners (ELLs) test.                                                              

TestNav8 Online Practice

TestNav 8 Online Practice is a free website that provides students with the opportunity to practice the Virginia SOL Test.  Practice items are not intended to be a complete test and are not intended to cover all content for the grade level or course.  The practice item sets provide the following:

a)  examples that are representative of content included in the Standards of Learning as they are revised;

b)  examples that show increased rigor;

c)  examples of technology-enhanced items (TEI) and opportunities to experience TEI functionality;

d)  opportunities to practice with the online tools and features that are available in TestNav 8 during online SOL testing;

e)  opportunities to navigate through and interact with the TestNav 8 online testing software.

Once you click on the link, click SOL Practice Test Item. 

http://va8.testnav.com/client/index.html

VDOE Links for Students & Parents

Families and communities are perfect partners for any students' success. The Virginia Department of Education encourages family and community involvement in schools for enrichment of all students.

http://www.doe.virginia.gov/families/index.shtml

VDOE Released Tests

Released tests are representative of the content and skills included in the Virginia SOL tests and are provided to assist in understanding the format of the tests and questions. Test item sets rather than full released tests are being provided for some SOL courses since the test item bank for those courses cannot support a full release. Raw score to scaled score tables cannot be provided for the test item sets because they do not represent full test forms. Likewise, a raw score to scaled score table cannot be provided for the MC/TEI component of the End-of-Course Writing test because it does not represent a full test form.

http://www.doe.virginia.gov/testing/sol/released_tests/index.shtml

Virginia School Quality Profiles

Virginia’s School Quality Profiles provide information about student achievement, college and career readiness, program completion, school safety, teacher quality and various topics of interest to parents and the general public. Report cards are available for schools, school divisions and for the commonwealth.

http://schoolquality.virginia.gov/

Policies Related to Test Participation and Refusal

According to the Code of Virginia, all students in Virginia are expected to take the Standards of Learning (SOL) state assessments. Virginia regulations do not include what is sometimes referred to as an "opt-out policy" for state assessments.  However, parents may refuse testing his/her children.

 

What Parents Should Consider Before Refusing a Test

How to Refuse a Test

• Certain tests are used to help a school identify appropriate placement for the student in advanced academic, enrichment, intervention and other programs.  If a child does not test, his/her appropriate placement could be delayed.
• If a child does not test, the school will not have academic data from the assessment to inform plans for the child's classroom instruction
• When a child does not test, the school does not gain a clear reflection of how it is meeting the instructional needs of its students, as a whole.
• For each SOL test refusal, the child will be assigned a score of zero (0). 
• The child's score report and the academic record will also display the score of (0).  It will not directly impact the course grade or access to future coursework. The child's (0) score will count against the federal accountability under ESSA; but will not impact the school's state accreditation status.
• If the child attends high school, refusing an SOL test could impact his/her on-time graduation. Virginia requires verified credits to earn a standard or advanced studies diploma. SOL tests are the most common method credits are verified.
• If parents refuse testing for one (1) or more administered tests, the parent should first contact the child's school.
• The Test Coordinator or Principal can address parents' questions at the school level. 
• If parents determine the refusal of a test, is in the best interest of his/her child;  after initial contact with the school,  the parent must officially notify the child's school,  in writing of this decision.
• For SOL tests, the parent will complete the "Parent Refusal Form" at the school where the form will be kept on file for the current school year.
• The "Parent Refusal Form" must be completed annually.