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School board member warns SOLs will count for 10% of final grade next year; urges parents to contact state representatives
Summary
Board member Tamara Shumate told the Portsmouth City School Board that state changes will require Standards of Learning (SOL) test results to count for 10% of students' final grades next school year and encouraged parents to contact delegates and the state education office.
A Portsmouth school board member warned fellow board members and the public on May 22 that Standards of Learning (SOL) tests will determine 10% of a student’s final grade next school year and urged parents to contact state representatives and the secretary of education.
“Next school year, 10% of your child's final grade will be determined on them passing the SOLs,” said School Board Member Tamara Shumate. She described the change as “very disheartening” and encouraged constituents to contact delegates, senators and the state Secretary of Education to express concerns.
Shumate said efforts to reduce reliance on SOLs date back years and that some state officials — she named a former secretary of education, Atif Kearney — had previously supported removing or reforming SOL requirements. “The previous secretary of education…was an advocate for getting rid of the SOLs as well and focusing more on curriculum and making it more understandable and critical thinking for our students,” she said.
Shumate and other board members framed the shift as likely to increase pressure on teachers and students. She said teachers already feel compelled to “teach to the test” rather than focus on deeper understanding and called on families to advocate for curriculum‑focused approaches instead of high‑stakes testing.
School officials also urged parents of students with disabilities to engage with the division’s Special Education Advisory Committee (SEAC). Board member Miss Walker (identified in the meeting as a board participant) noted that many special‑education students may face additional challenges under the SOL weighting and reminded listeners that SEAC meets locally and can advocate at state and federal levels.
Board members did not vote or adopt any local policy at the meeting regarding SOLs. The comments served as a call to advocacy and information for families about the expected change in statewide policy for the coming year.
