The new passing score for the reading SOL will be a 479, Algebra 1 will be 453, Algebra 2 will be 443, and Geometry will be 452.
The passing scores will most likely change in 2027 and will have a slight increase for 4 to 5 years after that, to slowly reach the proposed cut scores in 2028-2029 or 2029-2030.
The changes are being made to raise literacy and numeracy. With the current cut scores students could be below grade level in proficiency and still pass the SOL, said Secondary ELA Facilitator Dr. Chris Cuozzo.
According to The Virginia Department of Education, “Since new content standards were approved in 2023 and 2024, and new SOL assessments fully aligned to the new more rigorous standards were implemented in Spring 2025, cut scores need to be updated to reflect current expectations for proficiency and beyond.”
The scores could cause an increase in the number of students who fail the SOL. “Typically most of the majority of our students score between about 420, and about 465, so therefore within a couple of years that won’t be good enough,” English department chair Shelly Glynn said.
Glynn further discussed the impact in the classroom. “I think that unfortunately a lot of things that would be more authentic, interesting, or joyful learning experiences will be put aside in favor of drill and practice,” Glynn said.
Math Department Chair Cindy Sokol worries the new cut scores will cause stress. “Life is not just about one defining test, but sometimes when the stakes are really high that’s how everybody feels,” Sokol said.
There is still a lot of unknown and the state is still finalizing the details of the change.”I just want to emphasize that there are a lot of unanswered questions here,” Cuozzo said.
