Prince William County Public Schools (PWCS) has integrated new mathematics standards for the 2024-25 school year. The Virginia Department of Education (VDOE) has driven this statewide initiative to ensure students are equipped with the knowledge and skills needed for a rapidly evolving world.
The Code of Virginia mandates a review of the Standards of Learning (SOL) every seven years. The latest revision cycle, completed in 2023, involved a comprehensive process to enhance the 2016 mathematics standards.
The VDOE’s Mathematics Office worked with teams of math supervisors, coordinators, specialists, and teachers. They analyzed the 2016 SOLs, data from the National Assessment of Educational Progress, SAT, and ACT, as well as math standards from other states. The aim was to create standards that are developmentally appropriate and aligned with national trajectories of learning. The result of this effort was the approval of the 2023 Mathematics SOLs on August 31, 2023.
The 2023 standards bring several enhancements, addressing five key areas to support students in building strong mathematical foundations and ensuring they are ready for both post-secondary education and the workforce. By focusing on vertical articulation, data literacy, and content connections, students will develop a more cohesive understanding of mathematics. Embedding process goals ensures that students learn to think like mathematicians, while increased rigor prepares them to meet challenges both inside and outside the classroom.
In the current school year, students, teachers, and administrators will be working together to bring these new standards to life, ensuring that every student can excel in mathematics and beyond.
More information may be found for the VDOE’s new math standards and the PWCS’ Mathematics website.