RICHMOND, Va. – The U.S. Department of Education has given Virginia permission to cancel SOL's during the 2019-2020 school year.
In response to the coronavirus pandemic shutting all schools down, the federal education department approved the Virginia Department of Education's waiver request.
The federal Every Student Succeeds Act of 2015 requires states to administer annual assessments in reading and mathematics in grades 3-8 and at least once in high school.
The law also requires testing in science at least once in elementary, middle and high school. The commonwealth’s assessment system also includes tests in writing and social studies and history that are not required by the federal law.
U.S. Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos announced on March 20 an expedited process for approving statewide waivers.
VDOE is exploring options for canceling the administration of SOL tests during the reconvened session of the General Assembly in April.
