Educators want SOL test review

A disagreement over whether to scrap the state's third grade history assessment is leading to a broader discussion about the state's testing system.

State Superintendent of Instruction Patricia I. Wright late last week withdrew her proposal to eliminate the third-grade history and social science Standards of Learning exam, which covers material taught in kindergarten through third grade.

Wright changed course after bipartisan disapproval of the idea, which she said would save money and cut out a test that is not federally mandated.

Despite that withdrawal, the House of Delegates Education Committee met yesterday morning to hear from the public. Wright told the panel that she believes the Virginia Board of Education will keep the history assessment; a vote is scheduled for Thursday.

But several speakers yesterday, who asked that the test remain, said the time may be right to launch a broad review of the assessment program.

Ken Bassett, with the Virginia Consortium of Social Studies Specialists and College Educators, told committee members that there is a growing sense that schools spend too much time on testing and less on instruction.

"The elimination of the SOL test in any subject area will not fix this problem," he said. "The SOL tests are currently our only means to ensure some measure of attention is given to the standards in every classroom throughout the commonwealth."

Glen Hoptman of the Commission on Civics Education said more educators and education advocacy groups are thinking that a review of the testing system may be appropriate. Where the groups diverge, he said, is how that should be done.

"A systemic review, however challenging to the status quo, will produce a more viable assessment regimen," he said. "But the arbitrary removal of exams is not going to address the issue."

Contact Olympia Meola at (804) 649-6812 or .