Virginia Beach reports mixed SOL gains, PSAT improvements and subgroup gaps in retreat data review

Virginia Beach City Public Schools presented preliminary student achievement data to the School Board at the district retreat on July 8, showing pockets of improvement on state Standards of Learning (SOL) tests, rising PSAT/NMSQT benchmark rates for 11th graders, and persistent performance gaps for several student groups.

"These results aren't endpoints; they're signals, helping us see where our system is supporting students well and where we must do more," said Dr. Banneke, executive director of planning, innovation and accountability, during the presentation of division-level results.

The district reported three‑year trends for SOL exams. Reading showed small declines at some elementary grades (grade 3 fell from 77% to 74%, grade 4 from 83% to 79%; grade 5 was mostly unchanged), while middle and high school reading remained steady or strong (the grade 8 reading rate rose from 79% to 83%; the end‑of‑course reading pass rate was 91%). Math results reflected the first administration aligned to the 2016 standards: grade 3 rose from 76% to 78% and grade 5 from 75% to 79%, though grade 6 dipped from 72% to 67% and the grade 7 test covers a smaller cohort because many 7th graders take higher level courses. High‑school course SOL passing rates for algebra 1, algebra 2 and geometry remained at or above 90%.

Science scores improved in several grades: grade 5 rose from 70% to 73% and grade 8 from 73% to 79%. High‑school biology increased from 81% to 84%, and chemistry showed a notable rise this year from 51% to 61%.

District officials emphasized readiness indicators beyond SOLs. VBCPS paid for PSAT/NMSQT access for all 11th graders; participation for the reported year was about 75% (the district cited state participation near 47% and national near 43%). For 11th graders in VBCPS, 65% met the College Board benchmark for evidence‑based reading and writing (compared with state and national averages that the presentation listed as 69% and 66%), while 35% met the math benchmark (compared with 44% statewide and 42% nationally). Dr. Banneke called math readiness an area for continued attention and said the district is revisiting secondary math course sequences.

Career and technical education credentialing remained strong: more than 16,000 assessments were administered each year over the last three years, with credential pass rates rising from 82.1% to 84.0%.

The presentation included subgroup breakdowns. Asian and White students had the highest passing rates across subjects; Black students, English learners and students with disabilities trailed in many areas. The district noted the widest gaps for English learners and students with disabilities in science and history. "Just because these disparities are common doesn't make them acceptable," Dr. Banneke said, noting the division will continue targeted supports.

Board members and staff clarified how to interpret test results. A board member asked whether an elementary student who does not pass an SOL is unable to read; Dr. Colucci and other staff said failing an SOL does not necessarily indicate that a child cannot read, explaining some test items and formats differ from classroom measures. Communications staff said the district provides information to families about PSAT usage and scholarship opportunities through counselors and school communications but agreed outreach could be strengthened.

Officials said the Virginia Department of Education is expected to publish official SOL passing rates in July and school‑level accountability designations by September; the division plans a public presentation in October with school designations and more detailed school‑level data.

Ending: Board members asked for cohort trend reporting (tracking the same students over years), more family outreach about college readiness tools, and continued attention to subgroup supports. Superintendent Dr. Robertson said the district will return with fall workshops and ongoing updates.