In its annual meeting with state legislators who represent Albemarle County in 2012, the School Board briefed legislators on the need for more balanced and relevant student assessments beyond the Standards of Learning (SOL) tests now in use across the state. As a result of the meeting, legislation was filed in the General Assembly that would eventually give school divisions the option of employing performance-based assessments to measure and align student learning with college and workforce readiness.

This year, the School Board added to its position with the approval of a resolution that calls upon the General Assembly to improve accountability through balanced assessments and improvements in the role of teachers as “designers, guides to instruction and leaders” to better nurture the “sense of inquiry and love of learning in all students.”

The Resolution, Concerning High Stakes, Standardized Testing of Virginia Public School Students, is drawing broad support from school divisions across the state and has the support of both the Virginia Association of School Superintendents (VASS) and the Virginia School Boards Association (VSBA).