Virginia Board of Education approves phased rollout of tougher SOLs in 2027

RICHMOND, Va. (WRIC) -- The Virginia Board of Education voted to approve a phased rollout of tougher Standards of Learning (SOLs), starting in the spring of 2027, following a Thursday meeting.

On Thursday, Nov. 13, the Board of Education voted for a four-year, phased-in approach, with full implementation of revised cut scores by 2030, after Gov.-elect Abigail Spanberger leaves office.

in September, the board voted to raise the SOL cut scores in reading and mathematics. The new cut scores will vary by grade and subject, meaning that students will need to answer more questions correctly to pass the exams.

The changes come as part of ongoing efforts to better align Virginia’s standards with a prominent national exam known as The Nation’s Report Card, or NAEP. SOL scores improved slightly in late August, with Gov. Glenn Youngkin saying, “What we are doing is working.”

"So when we're looking at increasing these cut scores, it's very similar, and that we're not changing the graduation uh requirements, we're simply modifying the cut scores," said Tiara Booker-Dwyer. She emphasized that the changes would not affect graduation requirements.

According to Booker-Dywer, the new phased-in approach follows about a month of feedback, which included requests for additional support, resources for families learning at home, guidance on verified credits, retake ranges and more, as well input and assistance from the Board of Education.

The department stressed that students who are unable to pass the tougher SOLs, starting in two years, will still have alternative opportunities to meet graduation requirements. But all students are required to take the SOLs and their alternate assessment at the revised cut scores.

"If you don't pass the SOL test in Virginia and I think this is one of the wonderful things about Virginia, you get so many opportunities, either through retakes -- so many different pathways," Booker-Dywer said.

She said that the department is working to share updates and analyze the impact of the changes on different student groups. The Board of Education is expected to review recommendations and data at the Dec. 11 board meeting.

8News has reached out to Youngkin and Spanberger's offices for comment, but has not yet received a response.