SOL scores show significant achievement gap between white students and Black, Hispanic students in Virginia

RICHMOND, Va. (WRIC) -- Newly released Standards of Learning (SOL) pass rates show there is a significant achievement gap based on race in Virginia. 

“The disparities can happen for a number of reasons,” said Dr. Krystal Clemons, Associate Dean at Virginia State University’s College of Education.

The data shows that over 80% of white and Asian students in Grades 3-8 passed their reading SOL exam, compared to a pass rate of less than 60% for Black and Hispanic students. 

Meanwhile, in math, less than 55% of Black and Hispanic students passed, compared to white and Asian students, who had a pass rate of around 80%.

“The research shows that if you are vulnerable to things like lack of sustainable housing, lack of internet bandwidth, and connectivity, those things often have an adverse effect,” Clemons said. 

Clemons said the disparity can be blamed, in part, on socio-economic challenges and more. 

“It could be their geographical location in terms of access and opportunity, and what they may have had before they even enrolled in school, in terms of school readiness, as well as access and opportunities to teachers and to schools with those kinds of resources,” Clemons said.

Clemons said to bridge the achievement gap, Virginia should prioritize investing in teachers and local school divisions. 

“The research shows that when we have culturally responsive teachers and we have significant investment in infrastructure, in resources, and training, all children, all students can learn,” Clemons told 8News. 

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Economically disadvantaged students and students with disabilities also had pass rates considerably lower than the state average.