Fluvanna SOL Results for 2013-2014 - Fluvanna County Public ...

FLUVANNA COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS
14455 JAMES MADISON HIGHWAY
PALMYRA, VA 22963
434-589-8208
PRESS RELEASE
August 22, 2013
Virginia Department of Education Releases SOL Results
Fluvanna County High School Among the Best in the State and
Carysbrook Elementary School Makes Significant
Progress in Reading Performance
The Virginia Department of Education released Standards of Learning (SOL) test results for the state on
Tuesday. This was the second year for implementation of the new SOLs for mathematics and the first
year for implementation of the new SOLs for reading and writing.
“Even with three-year averaging mitigating the impact of the new tests, we will see some schools slip from
Fully Accredited to Accredited with Warning,” Superintendent of Public Instruction Patricia I. Wright
predicted. “I hope parents will view these accreditation changes in the context of the state raising
standards so that their children- regardless of where they live- will be better prepared for the challenges
of postsecondary education and the realities of global competition.”
Fluvanna County High School continues to surpass state averages in 11 of the 16 areas tested. These
areas include end-of-course tests and Grade 8, which is now housed at the High School.
The online mathematics SOL tests taken by most Virginia students include technology-enhanced items.
The items require students to apply mathematical knowledge and critical-thinking skills in solving
multistep problems. Multiple-choice items on the tests also reflect the increased rigor of the mathematics
standards adopted by the Board of Education in 2009. Fluvanna County High School and Fluvanna
Middle School surpassed state averages for Algebra I and Geometry end-of-course assessments.
Fluvanna County Public Schools saw growth in five of the nine areas assessed by the State in
mathematics.
There are 132 school divisions in the state of Virginia, Fluvanna:
Ranked sixth in performance on the Algebra I SOL test and surpassed the state average by 12
points.
Ranked fifth in performance on the Geometry SOL test and surpassed the state average by 14
points.
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Mathematics SOL Pass Rate Difference
Fluvanna State
Grade 3 55 65 -10
Grade 4 66 74 -8
Grade 5 50 69 -19
Grade 6 75 77 -2
Grade 7 51 61 -10
Grade 8 60 61 -1
Algebra I 88 76 +12
Geometry 90 76 +14
Algebra II 77 76 +1
The English SOL tests students took during 2012-13 were the first to reflect the increased rigor of the
revised standards adopted by the Board of Education in 2010. Last year also marked the debut of online
SOL writing tests, pass rates on the new tests were lower than in 2011-12. Literacy instruction was a
strong focus at the elementary level in Fluvanna County Public Schools. Because of the change in tests,
it is difficult to compare scores to the previous year’s data. Fluvanna surpassed the state averages in six
of the 10 areas tested.
Third Grade pass rates surpassed the state average by five percentage points and ranked 30 out
of 132 school divisions compared with being ranked 65 the previous year.
Fourth Grade pass rates surpassed the state average by three percentage points and ranked 43
out of 132 school divisions compared with a rank of 82 in 2012-13.
English scores for the end-of-course reading ranked sixth in the state while writing was ranked
fourth.
Grade 8 scores surpassed the state average in reading and writing and ranked sixteenth and
eighteenth respectively.
Reading/Writing SOLs Pass Rate Difference
Fluvanna State
Grade 3 77 72 +5
Grade 4 73 70 +3
Grade 5 68/59 73/71 -5/-12
Grade 6 71 73 -2
Grade 7 71 74 -3
Grade 8 77/77 71/70 +6/+7
End-of-Course 94/93 89/87 +5/+6
Social Studies scores increased over the previous year’s performance in Grade 3, Grade 4 VA Studies,
and VA and US History.
Social Studies SOL Pass Rate Difference
Fluvanna State
Grade 3 82 87 -5
VA Studies 86 87 -1
US History I 85 83 +2
US History II 81 82 -1
Civics and Economics 84 85 -1
World History I 84 84 0
World History II 83 85 -2
US and VA History 89 86 +3
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Fluvanna County Public Schools surpassed the state averages in four of the seven areas assessed in
science. The Science SOL test was revised for the 2012-13 school year.
Chemistry at the High School ranked 14 in the state.
Biology at the High School ranked 21 out of 132.
Science SOL Pass Rate Difference
Fluvanna State
Grade 3 78 84 -6
Grade 5 79 75 +4
Grade 8 80 76 +4
Earth Science 82 83 -1
Biology 87 83 +4
Chemistry 96 86 +10
Accreditation ratings and student subgroup performance will be reported by the Virginia Department of
Education next month, along with data on progress in raising achievement in the commonwealth’s lowestperforming
schools, as described in Virginia’s approved No Child Left Behind flexibility waiver.
“Our staff has been working extremely hard to prepare students for the new assessments by revising
curriculum maps, participating in professional developing, and collaborating with their peers,” stated
Brenda Gilliam, Director of Curriculum and Instruction. “We are thrilled with the progress we have made
in targeted areas and will continue to work on areas in need of focus.”
For additional information about SOLs and student assessment contact:
Ms. Brenda Gilliam, Director of Curriculum and Instruction- bgilliam@apps.fluco.org
Dr. Jamie Mathieson, Director of Testing and Accountability- jmathieson@apps.fluco.org
They may be reached at 434-589-8208.
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