In 2025, the Virginia General Assembly passed a bill outlining new requirements for the Standards of Learning (SOLs). The restrictions outlined in the bill will affect students in the upcoming school year.
The main changes to SOLs include the change from the 600-point grading scale to a 100-point scale and a shorter test taking window.
“I think that this new SOL bill is going to affect students across Virginia in a very negative way by applying more pressure on the students with extra tests that have not mattered in the past,” commented freshman Riley Koval.
The change in the grading scale is not expected to impact students as heavily as the other changes. This will make the scores easier to understand by basing them on typical classroom grading scales.
The test-taking window will now be limited to the last two weeks of school. This will impact the retake period, causing it to extend further into the school year.
Additionally, in the 2028-2029 school year, SOLs will be worth 10% of a student’s final grade.
“I find the 10% of a grade the most offensive to me because I think it dictates how teachers should grade,” stated Principal Peter Laub. “I don’t like that; I think that it takes away from the local authority of the school and the school district.”
Some students also commented on the fact that they did not feel like they were adequately prepared for past SOLs.
“Taking the Bio SOL in ninth grade was very different from the actual material we learned in class,” remarked junior Laura Gavashelishvili. “We learned more in-depth and we didn’t cover such broad ecology topics.”
However, these policies could be changed again before the next testing season.
“School divisions are waiting for the Virginia Department of Education (VDOE) to provide final guidance for implementing changes to the new SOL process. During the fall of 2026, there could be updates or changes to what has been shared with school divisions to date,” explained Chief Academic Officer William Bates.
