EDUC 301-Educating Diverse and Exceptional Learners

What are the Standards of Learning (SOL)?

The Standards of Learning (SOL) for Virginia Public Schools establish minimum expectations for student learning and achievement in grades K-12 in English, mathematics, science, history/social science, technology, the fine arts, foreign language, health and physical education, and driver education.

Annual assessments – including SOL tests and alternative assessments – provide information on individual student achievement including those with special needs.

The Standards & SOL-based Instructional Resources

On the Commonwealth's SOL site, select a content area on the menu on the right side of the linked page to view the following SOL-related resources:

• The Standards of Learning (SOL) – expectations for student learning and achievement.
• The Curriculum frameworks for English, mathematics, science and history/social science detail the specific knowledge and skills students must possess to meet the standards for these subjects.
• Enhanced scope and sequence guides provide sample lesson plans and instructional resources to help teachers align their classroom instruction with the standards.
• Test blueprints detail specific standards covered by a test, reporting categories of test items, number of test items, and general information about how test questions are constructed.
• Released tests and test items are representative of the content and skills included in the SOL assessments and present the format of the tests and questions. Select a subject from the menu on the right or see all released test resources.

Virginia Standards of Learning & Common Core State Standards

VDOE and the Board of Education are using the commonwealth’s established process for adopting and revising academic standards to incorporate content from the Common Core State Standards into the Standards of Learning (SOL). In doing so, the board and department are ensuring that expectations for teaching and learning in Virginia schools are comparable to, or in some instances exceed, those of the voluntary national standards.

Virginia curriculum materials are received on a seven-year cycle.  Resources for different subject areas are received for four years, then there is a two year break.  The materials received are those currently under review by the State Of Virginia.  George Mason is a public review site for Region 4 of the State of Virginia.  Listed below is a table detailing the process:

Textbook Review & Approval Schedule - Based on the seven-year revision cycle for the Standards of Learning
History & Social Science
Adopted: 2015
SOL Framework Adoption:  2016
State Textbook/Instructional Materials Review: 2016-2017
LEA Textbook Materials Review: 2017
New Contract Date: 2017

Mathematics
Adopted: 2016
SOL Framework Adoption: 2016
State Textbook/Instructional Materials Review: 2017-2018
LEA Textbook Materials Review:  2018
New Contract Date: 2018

English (K-5 Reading and 6-12 English & Literature
Adopted: 2017
SOL Framework Adoption:  2017
State Textbook/Instructional Materials Review: 2018-2019
LEA Textbook Materials Review: 2019
New Contract Date: 2019

Science
Adopted: 2018
SOL Framework Adoption: 2018
State Textbook/Instructional Materials Review: 2018-2019
LEA Textbook Materials Review: 2019
New Contract Date: 2019

NOTE: The State of Virginia DOE did not review these materials. in 2015 or 2016.

For additional information got to: Textbook Review & Approval 

The State of Virginia Department of Education's Textbook Review & Approval Schedule is based on the seven-year revision cycle for the Virginia Standards of Learning.  George Mason University is the public review site for Region 4.  Region 4 includes the following 14 counties, 5 cities and towns:

Counties
Arlington
Clarke
Culpeper
Fairfax
Fauquier
Loudoun
Madison
Orange
Page
Prince William
Rappahannock
Shenandoah
Warren

Cities
Alexandria
Falls Church
Manassas
Manassas Park
Winchester

Textbooks submitted for review by the Virginia Department of Education and under consideration for state adoption are available for public inspection and comment. Curriculum collections resources are located on the first floor of the Fenwick Library in the1600 wing (old B wing.)

Click on the links below to access the list of currently approved Virginia curriculum materials.

Currently Approved Textbooks
English, Reading, Language Arts, & Literature
Foreign Language 
History & Social Science  
Mathematics
Science

Common Core Standards Initiative

The Common Core State Standards Initiative is a state-led effort coordinated by the National Governors Association Center for Best Practices (NGA Center) and the Council of Chief State School Officers (CCSSO). The standards were developed in collaboration with teachers, school administrators, and experts, to provide a clear and consistent framework to prepare our children for college and the workforce.  For additional information click the links below:

1. Introduction to the Common Core Standards
2. Application of the Common Core Standards for English Language Learners
3. Common Core Standards for English Language Arts & Literacy
4. Common Core Standards for Mathematics

Other Common Core Resources

The following links will give you additional information and viewpoints on the Common Core Standards

ASCD (formerly the Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development) is an educational leadership organization dedicated to advancing best practices and policies for the success of each learner. Our 150,000 members in more than 145 countries are professional educators from all levels and subject areas––superintendents, supervisors, principals, teachers, professors of education, and school board members.

American Association of School Librarians (AASL) - a branch of the American Library Association, the AASL provides information linking hat help school librarians learn how the AASL Standards for the 21st-Century Learner and the Common Core State Standards align.

National Governor's Association Governors and state commissioners of education from 48 states, 2 territories, and the District of Columbia developed a common core of state standards in English language arts and mathematics for grades k-12.

Council of Chief State School Officers (CCSSO) is a nonpartisan, nationwide, nonprofit organization of public officials who head departments of elementary and secondary education in the states, the District of Columbia, the Department of Defense Education Activity, and five U.S. extra-state jurisdictions.