New Kent excels in SOL testing; Charles City scores jump in 12 categories
Virginia’s Department of Education released SOL (Standards of Learning) test scores on Aug. 16 to the public with positive results and improvements for local schools.
New Kent County Schools achieved a passing rate of 70 or more in all subject areas while Charles City County Schools improved in 12 areas as part of the totals released in the new data.
New Kent scores continue to rank better than the state average, surpassing 20 of 29 areas of the state’s average. The school achieved an 80 percent passing rate in 25 of 29 areas, and a 90 percent passing rate in seven subjects. In seven subject areas taken by New Kent pupils, at least 25 percent passed those tests with an advance rating, including a whopping 51 percent in the Virginia studies category. New Kent’s biggest improvement came in grade six reading, jumping up by eight percentage points from 78 to 86.
New Kent superintendent of schools Dave Myers spoke about the accomplishments of the students, teachers, and staff personnel took to continue the high academic achievements on the SOL tests.
“I am very exited the way our math numbers climbed,” he said during a Monday afternoon interview. “They are significantly higher and I am pleased about how we progressed.
“English has also done well,” Myers continued. “While we didn’t see as much change, people have to remember that we had a huge gain last year. Our division’s average is three to four points higher than the state’s average.”
Even though Myers’ goal is to have scores consistently in the 80 to 90 percent success rate, he also voiced how the SOLs are used as a comparison mechanism and not the true basis of teaching in New Kent’s school system.
“SOL measures the content that is taught but it doesn’t show the true aspect of what these students can do,” he added. “Our teachers and staff want students to succeed in a variety of areas that are important when tackling issues.
“We are implementing lessons to that focus on problem solving, critical thinking, research literacy, and creativeness,” Myers continued. “While SOLs are important, we are looking to get into more areas that students may face in everyday situations.”
In Charles City, significant progress was made on SOL tests at the elementary school level. After being accredited with warning last year, SOL scores in grade four reading rose by 19 percent (53 to 72), 14 percent in grade four math (58 to 72), and an astounding 31 percent in grade six math (58 to 89). Charles City’s improvements saw scores break the 70 percent pass rate in 21 areas of the testing, including a perfect 100 percent rate in Algebra I. In comparison to the state average, Charles City exceeded average scores in four areas. In the subject of Virginia Studies, 39 percent of students passed the examination with an advanced standing.
Charles City superintendent of schools David Gaston reflected on the release of the scores, sending high praise to all involved in the continuing improvements.
“I want to thank the teachers and the administrative staff at the elementary and high school for their continuing improvement,” he said. “Last year, we focused on pulling up our mathematics and reading scores while continuing to improve on our other subjects.
“Our students worked hard throughout the school year and you can see the results reflected in these scores,” Gaston continued. “This just continues to show that Charles City schools have amazing students, an amazing staff, and a strong community support system.”
Accreditation scores are scheduled to be released in mid-September. All of New Kent schools are expected to be fully accredited. Charles City High School is also expected to be fully accredited. According to Gaston, Charles City Elementary School fell one point short of full accreditation in reading and will be accredited with warning.