Standards of Learning scores improve slightly in Virginia

RICHMOND, Va. (WRIC) -- Newly released Standards of Learning (SOL) scores show Virginia’s students are improving. 

“What we are doing is working,” said Gov. Glenn Youngkin (R) to reporters on Wednesday, Aug. 27.

The Youngkin administration announced that 68.3% of students in grades 3-8 passed their math SOL exam during the 2024-25 school year -- a 1.9% increase from the previous year. 

Meanwhile, 71.9% of students in that group passed their reading exam -- a 0.8% increase from the 2023-24 school year. 

Youngkin added that the increases are even more notable when considering that changes in state standards made the tests harder than in previous years. 

“Pearson, our testing company, assesses that the tests are 30-40% more challenging, more content, more breadth, and yet we’re seeing test scores improve,” Youngkin said. 

Youngkin added that the next step is raising SOL cut scores so they are more in line with how other national exams determine student proficiency. 

“The reality is, we're going to see Virginia students thrive as a result because we’re going to know where the challenges are, where the resources need to go, what works, and therefore we can double down on what works to more students,” Youngkin said.

The Youngkin administration also announced Wednesday that chronic absenteeism has gone down by 26% over the past two years.