Public school students in Hampton and Newport News scored below state averages, according to the 2017-2018 student scores on Standards of Learning tests.
Figures released Wednesday by the Virginia Department of Education show that students statewide had pass rates of 79 percent in reading, 77 percent in math, 81 percent in science, 84 percent in social studies and 84 percent in history for the 2017-2018 school year.
Students in Hampton City Public Schools had 76 percent in reading, 75 in math, 75 in science and 82 in social studies.
Enrolment was at 19,911 for school year 2017-2018 (there were 20,287 enrolled then previous school year).
In Newport News: 76 percent in reading, 71 percent in math, 74 percent in science, and 80 percent in social studies.
State data indicated there were 28,684 students enrolled for the 2017-2018 school year (28,860 the school year prior).
“Virginia has challenging standards and assessments, and students are performing at a much higher level today than when the state raised expectations six years ago,” Superintendent of Public Instruction James Lane said. “Pass rates are not the only measure of school quality. If we focus solely on annual pass rates, we miss the achievement of students who are making steady progress toward the benchmarks and the efforts of schools to address issues that directly affect learning and achievement. These factors are captured in the new accreditation system, and the ratings we will report next month will provide a more complete picture of where schools are today and where they can be enhanced in the future.”
Under the revised Standards of Accreditation approved by the Board of Education in November 2017, school quality indicators for English and mathematics will include the academic growth of students making significant progress toward meeting state benchmarks.
Schools will also be evaluated on progress in closing achievement gaps in English and mathematics, raising overall achievement in science and reducing chronic absenteeism. High schools will also be evaluated on their success in raising graduation rates and reducing dropout rates.
“An emphasis on overall pass rates can obscure the needs of groups of students who require additional support, both inside the classroom and in the community,” Lane said. “Under the new accreditation standards, schools and school divisions are required to develop and implement plans to address achievement gaps and ensure that all students have the resources they need to succeed.”
Information on the performance of students on SOL tests during 2017-2018 — including pass rates for schools and school divisions — is available on the VDOE website and on the online School Quality Profiles.
