After preliminary analysis of the 2007-2008 Standards of Learning (SOL) test results, it appears that 99 percent of Virginia Beach City Public Schools will earn full SOL accreditation. Only one of the division’s 82 schools which are eligible for accreditation is projected to miss the mark. Bettie F. Williams Elementary appears to have missed the necessary benchmark in one subject, fifth-grade history.

Bettie F. Williams is part of the innovative Bayside Tri-Campus instructional delivery model. Williams as well as Diamond Springs and Newtown elementary schools each houses only two grade levels to better target the students’ developmental needs. This new delivery model was implemented during the 2007-2008 school year.

“Anytime a school division implements a new or innovative program which requires significant adjustments by students, parents, and staff, you have the potential to see an initial impact on test results,” said Dr. Jared A. Cotton, Assistant Superintendent of the Department of Research, Evaluation, and Assessment. “Certainly, it will be a priority for school and central office staff to further analyze test results to identify specific areas for improvement.”

In other testing areas, Bettie F. Williams Elementary made noteworthy strides in student proficiency. A review of preliminary data shows:

• Unadjusted passing rates for fourth-grade mathematics increased substantially, up 28 percentage points when compared to passing rates from the previous school year.
• Unadjusted passing rates increased for both fourth- and fifth-grade reading by more than 5 percentage points from the previous year.
• Unadjusted passing rates for fifth-grade science increased 4 percentage points from the prior year.

“The 28 point gain Williams Elementary posted in fourth-grade mathematics is the greatest area of growth for any elementary school in Virginia Beach,” said Superintendent Dr. James G. Merrill. “I am confident that the hardworking teachers and students at Williams will soon enjoy the same success in the area of fifth-grade history as well,” Merrill added.

A dedication to student achievement and learning is reflected in SOL scores all across the school division. All of the district’s middle and high schools are projected to earn full accreditation as are 56 of the district’s elementary schools. In total, 327 of 328 established testing benchmarks were met or exceeded. The benchmark passing rate for elementary Reading is 75 percent while the benchmark for the majority of core subjects is 70 percent. Preliminary highlights of divisionwide test scores include:

• Fifty-six of 57 elementary schools have accreditation passing rates equal to or exceeding 81 percent in English.
• Fifty-five elementary schools have accreditation passing rates of 81 percent or better in mathematics and 82 percent or better in science.
• Twenty-six of 57 (46 percent) elementary schools have accreditation passing rates of 90 percent or above in each of the four content areas.
• All middle schools have accreditation passing rates of 85 percent or better in English. Eight of 14 middle schools have a passing rate equal to or exceeding 90 percent.
• All middle schools have accreditation passing rates of 92 percent or better in science.
• All high schools have accreditation passing rates of 94 percent or better in English.
• All high schools have accreditation passing rates of 84 percent or better in both mathematics and science.

“These outstanding SOL results reflect a year of diligence on the part of our students, consistent support from our parents, and extensive collaboration between our school staffs and central office,” said Merrill. “We are proud of those efforts and celebrate our collective success.”

For information regarding SOL testing procedures or preliminary accreditation results, please contact the Department of Research, Evaluation, and Assessment at 263-1030.

###