World history teacher Gary Colletti teaches a lesson about capitalism and communism. To help students prepare for the SOL, he changes the format of his test questions.
by Meghan Grainer and Kendall Rowe
The statewide Virginia Standards of Learning will undergo changes to the mathematics, science and English assessments. The content covered in the social studies SOLs changed last year.
Changes in SOL testing require teachers and students to reassess and alter their preparation for the end-of-the-year testing.
High school assessment and remediation coordinator Paige Lasky supervises all testing and tutoring at Varina. She said math tests will change in the spring and English and science tests will change next school year so that they require more interaction and contain fewer straightforward answers.
The new questions “allow students to think in different ways,” Mrs. Lasky said.
Math SOLs will be more interactive by requiring students to manipulate pictures and graphs on the computer. Next year, English SOLs will require the writing section to be typed instead of handwritten.
The changes in testing affected sophomore Brittany Landess last year when she took the World History II SOL. She had expected questions with straightforward answers, which are easier to determine. She said the changes will help in the long run because they require students to think more, but some students may have difficulty with the new, tougher questions.
Sophomore Haleigh Little said the social studies tests prior to last year were easier. The changes have affected the way she prepares for the tests.
“I usually have a cram session before the SOLs,” Haleigh said. “Now I’ll study more.”
World History II, geography, and twentieth century history teacher Gary Colletti said he has rearranged the order of study units and implemented other changes.
“I integrate new content into my lessons throughout the year,” Mr. Colletti said.
English department leader Jill Nogueras teaches AP English Language and Composition 11, English 12 and ninth grade reading. Mrs. Nogueras said teachers are making instruction more rigorous to accommodate for the changes.
“The test is asking students to go above and beyond,” Mrs. Nogueras said.
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