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SOL Regulations Passed

Elementary and middle school students who fail Standards of Learning tests by narrow margins will have an opportunity to retake those tests this spring thanks to new regulations passed by the State Board of Education. The rules stem from a law that sailed through the General Assembly—but would not have taken effect until July 1st if the Board had not acted.  

In addition to students who are close to a passing score, expedited retakes will also be allowed for those with extenuating circumstances—for all SOL tests except the eighth-grade writing assessment. State Board of Education President Chris Braunlich says the students also must have passed the related course or subject. 

“Whether or not a student takes an expedited retake does not affect his or her grade, but a lot of students have indicated they wanted another chance. They’re driven by trying to make certain for themselves that they did know the coursework. And so, that’s fine—we’ll give them that opportunity.”

Braunlich stresses that the accelerated retesting is optional.

“And it would also only be based on an opportunity that parents wanted to take advantage of. There’s no requirement that students have to take an expedited retake. Parents will have to opt-in.”

For the last 15 years, expedited retakes have been allowed for high school students who narrowly fail end-of-course SOLs that are linked to diploma requirements.

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