Student Achievement
Public schools in the Commonwealth of Virginia are measured by two accreditation standards:
(1) The Virginia Standards of Learning (SOL) assessments; and,
(2) The federal No Child Left Behind (NCLB) legislation.
The Commonwealth of Virginia measures student progress through SOL tests that provide the scores used for both Virginia State Accreditation, and federal Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP) of the No Child Left Behind Act.
The SOLs are standards to be mastered in the public schools of Virginia in English, mathematics, science, and social studies from kindergarten through twelfth grade. Students must pass a prescribed number of end-of- course tests in order to earn the standard or advanced studies diploma in any public school in Virginia.
Standards of Learning
Standards of Learning tests are given to students in grades 3-8 and at the completion of certain high school credit courses to measure achievement and mastery of the Virginia Standards of Learning.
The percentage of students passing the English SOL has increased in all grades tested. Third grade English achievement increased 18% over the five-year period, followed by fifth grade English that increased 14% more students passing. Students passing the end-of-course English decreased by 5% and eighth grade English gained 18% during the same time period.
State Accreditations
Public schools in Virginia are awarded an accreditation status based upon student performance on the SOL tests. A school’s accreditation status is awarded on an annual basis, requiring schools to meet benchmarks each year.
The first year of state accreditation (2000-2001), Newport News Public Schools had one school, Dutrow Elementary, which was fully accredited. In the 2007-2008 school year, the number of accredited Newport News schools has increased to 34 of 40 schools. The 34 fully accredited schools include 25 of 26 elementary schools, four of nine middle schools, and all five Newport News high schools.
Adequate Yearly Progress of the No Child Left Behind Act
The NCLB legislation requires school divisions to demonstrate progress from year to year in raising the percentage of students who are proficient in reading and mathematics and in narrowing achievement gaps. NCLB legislation has set five performance goals:
- All students will reach high standards, at a minimum attaining proficiency or better in reading/language arts and mathematics by 2013-2014.
- All limited-English-proficient students will become proficient in English and reach high academic standards, at a minimum attaining proficiency or better in reading/language arts and mathematics.
- All students will be taught by highly qualified teachers by 2005-2006.
- All students will learn in schools that are safe and drug free.
- All students will graduate from high school.
NCLB requires annual testing to measure student progress in reading and mathematics. NCLB requires schools and school divisions to meet annual objectives for Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP).
For a school to make AYP, it must meet or exceed 29 established benchmarks. All school divisions must meet or exceed 30 benchmarks to make AYP.
As a school division, Newport News Public Schools achieved AYP in 2005-2006 for the first time.