Academics
Resources
Mr. Chuba's e-mail: tom.chuba@lcps.org
The links below apply to all SOL Subjects.
The links to the left provide more subject-specific resources.
This is the Virginia Department of Education website.
***Note: If you want the TestNav experience, you will first need to login to the SOL Screen from a school computer.
There are currently 10 Standards of Learning (SOL) tests for High School Students:
2 English SOLs (Both of these SOLs are taken in the 11th Grade.)
English Writing (2 Day Test: Day 1: Multiple Choice Day 2: Short Paper)
English Reading
3 Math SOLs
Algebra I
Geometry
Algebra II
3 Science SOLs
Earth Science
Biology
Chemistry
3 History SOLs
World History I
World History II
Virginia & United States History
Students are required to pass a certain number of SOLs in order to achieve “Verified Credits” for graduation. The table below shows how many of each a student needs for both an Advanced Studies and Standard Diploma.
(Every student enrolled in a class that has a corresponding SOL must take the SOL regardless of how many verified credits they have earned.)
Advanced Studies Diploma | Standard Diploma | |
English | 2 | 2 |
Math | 2 | 1 |
Science | 2 | 1 |
History | 2 | 1 |
Student Select | 1 | 1 |
Total | 9 | 6 |
Hi Parents,
As you may know students are required to take an SOL for two reasons. One very important reason is it is a part of the Verified Credit (VC) process needed for a diploma. The other is to meet Federal Accountability (FA) requirements placed on schools by the Federal government.
Students need a total of 5 VCs to earn their diploma:
Math-1
Social Sciences – 1
Science – 1
Reading – 1 (taken as a part of English 11)
Writing – 1 (taken as part of English 11)
The Federal Accountability requirement is that students be tested in each of the following areas when the student is physically present in high school:
Math
Science – Virginia chose Biology as the FA science SOL
Reading
Every student in an SOL class has been informed by their teacher whether they need to take the SOL and the reason for taking it. You, as a parent, have the right to refuse to have your student take an SOL. We do not recommend refusing to take an SOL that is needed to help fulfill a VC requirement. Doing so places a burden on your student to take an SOL in the same subject are later in their high school career. That future SOL could be more difficult than the one for the course your student is presently taking.
Students who are asked to take an SOL simply for the FA reason have typically already earned the VC for that subject area. Refusing this SOL does not affect your student’s diploma status or ability to graduate. It does affect the data used to calculate Dominion’s rating.
Speak with your student regarding their SOLs. If you wish to refuse one, or more, SOLs then please fill out this Permission Click Refusal Form.
Complete the information regarding your student
Choose SOL
Select the appropriate SOL, or SOLs, that you wish to refuse
Please do not select every SOL as this makes it harder to sort all the data.
If you have any questions regarding SOLs, please contact Mr. Chuba at 571-434-4400 or by email: tom.chuba@lcps.org.
Click here to fill out the Refusal Form on Permission Click.
Helping Your Children Do Their Best on the SOL Tests
Set aside time every day for your child to do homework. Review your child's homework when you can. (Limiting the amount of time your child watches television or plays video games provides time for homework!)
Set up a designated area for your child to study. Have supplies ready that your child may need.
Know when the SOL tests are given. Mark these dates on your family calendar.
Display a positive attitude about the SOL tests. Help your child understand that tests are a part of school and life.
Review your child's curriculum and/or the SOL Blueprints- talk to your child about what he or she is learning. Help your child learn. (For those of you who enjoy investigating on the computer, you can download the blueprints from the Department of Education's home page.
Make sure your child understands the value you place on his or her achievement.
Encourage your child to stay relaxed and calm during the SOL tests. If your child gets nervous about tests, give him or her ideas of ways to stay calm.
Make sure your child gets a good night's sleep and eats a good breakfast before the SOL tests.
Remind your child to bring his or her glasses to school on all of the testing days.
Make sure your child is at school on time so that he or she won't feel rushed on the testing days.
Encourage your child to try hard and do his or her best every day in school.
Ask your child's teacher about areas of strength and weakness. Ask for specific suggestions of how to help your child improve.
Help your child keep the tests in perspective. It's one indication of student achievement- not the measure by how we determine whether or not your child is worthy.
Be your child's number one achievement cheerleader!