SOL Non-Writing Assessments, End-of-Course

Dear Parents and Guardians:

Your student will be taking one or more Virginia Standards of Learning (SOL) End-of-Course (EOC) assessments during this school year. All SOL assessments are taken in-person at school. School staff will schedule and communicate specific testing dates for your student based on their individual assessment needs. If you become aware of an unavoidable conflict that could result in your student missing a testing day, please notify your student’s school as soon as possible. 

Some SOL assessments are required under federal law, and some may be needed to verify credit for high school graduation. The table below shows the SOL EOC non-writing tests available to fulfill federal participation and/or verified credit requirements.

• Federal law requires schools to provide students one SOL test in reading, in mathematics, and in science during grades 9-12. These assessments provide information about student achievement to the parent/guardian, school, division, and state. 
• State law requires students to verify credits to fulfill Standard and Advanced Studies diploma graduation requirements, as outlined on the Graduation Requirements and Course Planning webpage (https://www.fcps.edu/academics/graduation-requirements-and-course-planning). SOL tests are the most common way students earn the verified credits they need. However, performance assessments (social studies only) or substitute assessments approved by the Virginia Board of Education may be another option available for your student to verify certain credits. 

A SOL High School Assessment Frequently Asked Questions webpage (https://www.fcps.edu/node/43148) provides more information about SOL EOC tests in Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS). If you do not want your student to participate in SOL assessments, you have the right to refuse testing. However, any decision to refuse SOL tests should be made in consultation with school staff to allow full consideration of any potential implications for on-time graduation. The Right to Refuse Assessments webpage (https://www.fcps.edu/node/34277) offers important information as you consider this decision. 

In most cases, SOL assessment results are available in the Student Information System (SIS) ParentVUE within about three months. If you have questions about SOL testing, please contact your student’s school counselor or the assessment coach/school test coordinator at your student’s school.

FALL Writing—EOC

Required to offer for students who will complete English 11 coursework by the end of the fall semester (4x4 or double block) and who need a test for writing verified credit. 

SOL Non-Writing—EOC

Required for students who will complete coursework by the end of the fall semester (4x4 or double block) and need the test for federal participation and/or verified credit. The EOC Reading test is available for twelfth graders currently enrolled in a year-long English 11 course who need a SOL test for federal participation and/or verified credit. Additional tests are available for students who previously passed a course but need a test for verified credit in order to graduate, including transfer credit. Students in a history course using PBAs for verified credit may access the SOL only with an approved exception. This window through January 10 includes all expedited retakes.

Spring Writing — EOC 

Required to offer for students enrolled in English 11 who need a test for verified credit in writing. Available for students with prior course credit who still need a test for writing verified credit. Only online make-up tests should be scheduled online March 27-31. (See also the term graduate online 2nd attempt window) Paper/Pencil Format: For students who meet the criteria for a paper/pencil format of the SOL writing assessment, tests will be completed by March 17, 2023. Non-Term Graduates have one opportunity the week of March 6. Term Graduates have two opportunities March 6-17. All secure materials due to TDC by Monday, March 20.

Spring Non-Writing—EOC

Required to offer for students enrolled in an SOL-associated course who need a test for federal participation and/or for verified credit. Additional tests are available for students who previously passed a course but need a test for verified credit in order to graduate, including transfer credit. Students in a history course using PBAs for verified credit may access the SOL only with an approved exception. 

IAS English Language Assessment Options

Dear Parents and Guardians: 

If your student is enrolled in an English 11 course or has a course credit for English 11 but lacks the verified credit in Reading and/or Writing to graduate with a standard or advanced studies diploma you have choices for the assessment that they will take this year. A brief overview of the available assessment options is provided below. Assessments are administered in-person at school, under secure testing conditions. Format and timing may vary for students with an IEP, 504 Plan, and/or English learner (EL) plan, in accordance with documented test accommodations. 

Options for Earning Verified Credit

The following options are available to your student:

• Virginia Standards of Learning (SOL) End-of-Course (EOC) Reading and Writing Assessments

  • SOL EOC English: Writing

    • Test Administration: 
      • Fall: 
        • Students enrolled in a one-semester version of English 11
        • Seniors enrolled in year-long English 11
        • Any student with Course Credit for English 11
      • Spring 
        • All students enrolled in English 11 who don't have a verified credit for English 11
        • Any student with Course Credit for English 11 who still needs a verified credit.
    • Format: untimed, online assessment administered over two days; multiple choice assessment/technology enhanced items 

  • SOL EOC English: Reading

    • Test Administration:
      • Fall
        • Students enrolled in a one-semester version of English 11
        • Seniors enrolled in year-long English 11
        • Any student with Course Credit for English 11
      • Spring 
        • All students enrolled in English 11 who don't have a verified credit for English 11 or Federal Participation credit.
        • Any student with Course Credit for English 11 who still needs a verified credit.
    • Format: untimed, online assessment; multiple choice assessment/technology enhanced items 

• ACT WorkKeys® Assessments

  • WorkKeys® Business Writing
    • Test Administration: Offered monthly, throughout the academic year
    • Format: timed, online; a single authentic business-related writing task
  • WorkKeys® Workplace Documents
    • Test Administration: Offered monthly, throughout the academic year
    • Format: timed, online; multiple choice authentic workplace-related questions

For most students, IAS will use the WorkKeys Business Writing Assessment to meet the verified credit retirements for English Writing.  If you wish your student to take the Writing SOL (two-day test) please communicate that preference to your student's teacher or counselor.

Most students will first attempt the Reading SOL, before any recommendation is made to take the WorkKeys Business Documents Assessment.  If you do not have your student take a required Reading SOL, they will receive a zero on that assessment.