Virginia is raising SOL proficiency benchmarks: What families need to know

The Virginia Department of Education (VDOE) is raising the cut scores on certain Standards of Learning (SOL) assessments. The changes begin this school year and will be phased over the next several years.

A cut score is the minimum score a student must earn to be classified as proficient, often described as passing an SOL assessment.

As Virginia raises these scores, students will be expected to demonstrate a higher level of performance to earn a proficient result.

What could this mean for my student?

Families should keep these key points in mind:

• The expectations are changing. A score that was considered proficient in a previous year may not meet Virginia’s new benchmarks.
• A different result does not necessarily mean a student has learned less. In some cases, it may reflect the state’s higher standard for proficiency rather than a decline in the student’s learning.
• Virginia is making the change statewide. The updated scores are intended to align the state’s expectations with revised academic standards and national benchmarks.

Students will continue to be assessed on the skills they are learning in school. What is changing is the level of performance required to be classified as proficient.

What else is changing?

Virginia is also making additional changes to SOL testing and reporting:

• SOL and local alternative assessment results will be reported on a 100-point scale.
  • VDOE intends to provide families with a more detailed and easier-to-understand picture of student performance.
• SOL assessments for students in grades 7-12 will be administered during the final weeks of the semester or school year.
  • This represents a change from previous years. Families should look for information from their school about specific testing dates and procedures.

PWCS is ready to meet higher expectations

Virginia's updated proficiency standards reflect a broader effort to raise academic expectations for students across the Commonwealth. As those higher expectations are phased in over the coming years, PWCS will continue focusing on strong instruction, student growth, and meaningful support for every learner.

While performance labels may change as the state raises proficiency benchmarks, PWCS remains confident in its students, educators, and schools. Our commitment remains the same: helping every student reach their fullest potential and preparing them for success in school and beyond.

How families can support student success

While the state's proficiency benchmarks are changing, many of the ways families can support their children's learning remain the same:

• Encourage regular attendance and active participation in class.
• Stay engaged with your child's academic progress and communicate with teachers when questions arise.
• Support regular reading and opportunities to practice skills learned in school.
• Celebrate growth, effort, and learning throughout the year, not just test results.

Throughout the implementation of Virginia's updated SOL standards, PWCS will continue providing families with resources, best practices, and guidance to support learning at home and help families understand their children’s progress. PWCS will also share information to help families interpret score reports and navigate the state's assessment changes with confidence.