Quick Links to SOL Instruction & Assessment Resources:
Standards of Learning, Curriculum Framework, Blueprints, Resources and Assessments:
English SOL Crosswalk Between the 2017 and 2010 Standards
Guidelines for the Use of Local Performance Assessments to Verify Credits in Writing (Word)
Progression Charts identify the grade level at which specific skills are formally introduced in the 2017 English SOL for
Communication (Word)
Reading (Word)
Writing (Word)
Grammar (Word)
Research (Word)
Sample Text-Dependent Questions with Paired Passages – provide fiction samples paired with companion nonfiction texts and offer a series of text-dependent questions, vocabulary activities, writing assignments, and opportunities for research.
FROM: James F. Lane, Superintendent of Public Instruction
As stated in Superintendent’s Memo No. 020-17 and Superintendent’s Memo No. 017-18, the Virginia Board of Education adopted the 2017 English Standards of Learning on January 26, 2017, and adopted the 2017 English Standards of Learning Curriculum Framework on November 16, 2017. Superintendent’s Memo No. 017-18 also indicated that full implementation of the 2017 English Standards of Learning will occur in the 2019-2020 school year.
The reading assessments measuring the 2017 English Standards of Learning will be administered for the first time in the spring 2020 test administration in grades 3 through 8 and end-of-course (EOC). To support preparation for implementation of the 2017 English Standards of Learning, the new reading test blueprints are available at http://www.doe.virginia.gov/testing/sol/standards_docs/english/index.shtml.
Field Testing in Spring 2019
The revised reading test blueprints are shared at this time to accommodate curriculum development and instructional planning. It is imperative that all school division staff understand that the new blueprints are not effective until spring 2020; however, school divisions should begin teaching new content from the 2017 English Standards of Learning in the 2018-2019 school year, as field-test items in spring 2019 will include new content from the 2017 English standards.
Practice Opportunities for Students
Practice test questions will be available in spring 2019 for each reading test (grades 3 through 8 and EOC). These practice questions will provide students an opportunity to become familiar with the types of test questions that will be administered as part of the new reading tests. To reflect the removal of stand-alone items from the Grades 3-8 Reading Standards of Learning tests, stand-alone practice items will not be included.
Practice questions must be accessed via the installable TestNav 8 application. See the TestNav 8 Technical Assistance Document (PDF) for information on the system requirements to access TestNav 8, along with instructions for downloading the TestNav 8 application. Guided practice suggestions will accompany the practice test questions to provide specific guidance for teachers or other adults to lead students through these items. School divisions will be notified when these practice items become available in spring 2019.
If you have any questions, please contact the student assessment staff by email at Student_Assessment@doe.virginia.gov or by phone at (804) 225-2102.
2018-2019 Writing Implementation Support:
Based on questions received on implementation for the 2018-2019 school year, Implementation Support (Word) has been developed to assist school divisions that have chosen to use Local Performance Assessments to Verify Credits in Writing.
National Library of Virtual Manipulatives - http://nlvm.usu.edu/en/nav/vlibrary.html
Mathematical Vertical Articulation Tools:
These vertical articulation tools provide support in identifying concepts aligned to the 2016 Mathematics Standards of Learning that articulate across grade levels or courses. Multiple formats of the MVAT are available for use as an instructional or remediation planning tool.
Webinars on Desmos Calculators:
VDOE webinars will target the functionality of the Desmos graphing calculator specific to Algebra I, Geometry, and Algebra II content and using it to enhance middle school classroom instruction. Participant space is limited. Registrants will receive a follow up email providing webinar log-in information. Click on the appropriate registration link below and select the preferred date:
Algebra I – Digging Deeper Into the Desmos Graphing Calculator- Registration
Geometry – Digging Deeper Into the Desmos Graphing Calculator – Registration
Algebra II – Digging Deeper Into the Desmos Graphing Calculator - Registration
Middle School Mathematics – Digging Deeper Into the Desmos Graphing Calculator - Registration
Desmos Calculators:
The VDOE will host overview webinars on how to use, implement, and create activities on the Activity Builder on Desmos.com. Middle school or high school content will be highlighted.
In addition to the standards, curriculum frameworks, test blueprints and released tests, other instructional resources include:
Algeblocks Training – online training for teachers who either need an introduction to the use of Algeblocks or need to reacquaint themselves with the manipulative
Algebra Readiness Initiative – information to prepare students for success in algebra
Co-teaching Mathematics Instructional Plans (2016 SOL) – These plans utilize the six common co-teaching approaches, and contain suggestions as to how co-teachers can effectively utilize the expertise of each teacher to enhance lessons and activities in a co-taught classroom. These co-teaching plans were created and modified by a select group of Virginia teachers participating in the Excellence for Co-teaching Initiative. These plans align instruction with the expectations of the 2016 Mathematics Standards of Learning, and were vetted by VDOE content and special education specialists.
Instructional Videos for Teachers – videos provided as support for the implementation of the Virginia Mathematics Standards of Learning
K-3 Mathematics Achievement Sample Records – Schools maintain a record of achievement in mathematics for each K-3 student to monitor progress and to promote achievement on third-grade SOL tests. This record accompanies a student who transfers to a new school
K-5 Mathematics Module: Number and Number Sense (Aligned to 2009 SOL) – module designed to enhance teachers' content knowledge and their use of instructional strategies for teaching the number and number sense strand
Mathematics and Science Partnership (MSP) Resources – Videos and curriculum products such as lesson plans, developed as part of Virginia MSP projects.
Mathematics Capstone Course Information – Guidance documents and links to instructional resources
Mathematics Instructional Plans (2016 SOL) - formerly known as Enhanced Scope and Sequence Lessons, are now available for Grades K-8, Algebra I, Geometry, Algebra II, and Algebra, Functions and Data Analysis. These instructional plans include updated 2009 documents, as well as newly developed instructional plans aligned to the 2016 Mathematics Standards of Learning. The Mathematics Instructional Plans assist teachers in aligning instruction with the 2016 Mathematics Standards of Learning by providing examples of how the knowledge, skills and processes found in the SOL and Curriculum Framework can be presented to students in the classroom.
Mathematics Vocabulary Word Wall Cards (K-8, Algebra I, Geometry, AFDA, and Algebra II) – provide a display of mathematics content words and associated visual cues to assist in vocabulary development.
Virginia Animals and their Habitats (Aligned to 2009 SOL) – A model comprehensive, cross-curricular second-grade unit that addresses 40 grade-two Virginia Standards of Learning in science, mathematics, English, and history and social science.
Virginia Kindergarten Readiness Program - a multi-dimensional kindergarten readiness assessment that complements the existing assessment of students’ literacy skills, using the Phonological Awareness Literacy Screening (PALS), with assessments of students’ early mathematics, self-regulation, and social skills.
The purpose of the VKRP is for school divisions and the Commonwealth to have a more comprehensive understanding of students’ critical school readiness skills at kindergarten entry. Schools, divisions, and state leaders can use readiness data to prioritize individual student needs and target programs, resources, and professional development opportunities for teachers.
In 2018, the Virginia General Assembly passed legislation that requires all kindergarten students be assessed using the VKRP by the end of the 2019-2020 school year and annually thereafter (HB5002, Item 128, H.).
Fall 2017
Continue posting technical assistance documents to support and align with the 2015 History and Social Science Standards of Learning and Curriculum Framework
2008 History and Social Science Standards of Learning and Curriculum Framework taught and assessed
Crossover year to support 2015 History and Social Science Standards of Learning and Curriculum Framework through instructional materials and curriculum support
All state assessments based on 2008 History and Social Science Standards of Learning and Curriculum Framework
Spring 2018
All assessments based on 2008 History and Social Science Standards of Learning and Curriculum Framework
2018 - 2019
Fall 2018
Continue posting technical assistance documents to support and align with the 2015 History and Social Science Standards of Learning and Curriculum Framework
Full implementation of the 2015 History and Social Science Standards of Learning and Curriculum Framework
Locally developed assessments and tasks should be based on 2015 History and Social Science Standards of Learning and Curriculum Framework
All state assessments based on 2008 History and Social Science Standards of Learning and Curriculum Framework.
State assessments to be administered:
Virginia Studies
Civics and Economics
All End of Course (EOC) Exams
Spring 2019
Post technical assistance documents to support performance tasks and assessments based on 2015 History and Social Science Standards of Learning and Curriculum Framework
Full implementation of the 2015 History and Social Science Standards of Learning and Curriculum Framework
Locally developed assessments and tasks should be based on 2015 History and Social Science Standards of Learning and Curriculum Framework
All assessments based on 2008 History and Social Science Standards of Learning and Curriculum Framework.
State assessments to be administered:
Virginia Studies
Civics and Economics
All EOCs
On October 18, 2018, the Virginia Board of Education approved the 2018 Science Standards of Learning. The Standards of Learning are a critical communication with the citizens of the Commonwealth, parents, the business community, and higher education, in that these standards convey expectations and intended outcomes for K-12 education. The expectation is that students achieve these outcomes as they learn science content and engage in Science and Engineering Practices.
For more information, refer to Superintendent's Memo 172-18 and the Science Standards of Learning (SOL) Review Timeline and view the videos on the 2018 Science Standards of Learning YouTube playlist with VDOE Science Coordinator Anne Petersen.
Content guidelines are in the process of being constructed for all Biology II and Earth Science II courses. The intention of the content guidelines are to inform instruction and to ensure that the content is covered equitably across the Commonwealth.