Division outlines rollout of new 2023 math standards; state to raise SOL cut scores
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Summary
Math specialists told the board the division adopted aligned curricula (Savvas, Vision, McGraw Hill) to match Virginia's 2023 standards; the Virginia Board of Education also approved higher SOL cut scores on a scheduled implementation timeline, meaning higher student performance will be required for proficiency.
Math specialists presented the division’s approach to implementing Virginia’s 2023 Standards of Learning (SOL) for mathematics and explained how the division is supporting teachers through training and aligned assessments.
Karen DeKloot, division elementary math specialist, and Lizzie Campos, secondary math specialist, said the 2023 SOLs were approved on 08/31/2023 and that full implementation and aligned testing began in the 2024–25 school year. The division adopted curricula aligned to the new standards—Savvas and Vision for K–8 and McGraw Hill for Algebra 1, Geometry and Algebra 2—and provided districtwide training for teachers, including work during teacher work week and follow-up professional learning.
The presenters showed sample items that illustrate increased rigor under the 2023 standards (for example, Grade 5 items now require typed answers and multiple mixed-number operations rather than simple selected responses). They also said the Virginia Board of Education has approved new SOL cut scores to be phased in on a schedule (the presenters used the term "2627 school year" when describing implementation timing), which will raise the scaled score threshold for proficiency. "They are calling this an honesty gap," one presenter said, explaining the state’s intent to provide families with what they described as an accurate picture of students’ mastery levels.
Board members asked how often specialists meet with teachers (responses: elementary grade-level teacher leaders meet quarterly; middle-school grade-level teams meet weekly; secondary teams meet on various rotations) and whether early results show improvement. Presenters said benchmark and assessment scores have increased from last year to this year in some measures and emphasized the need to sustain coaching and teacher retention to realize long-term gains.
No board action was taken on curriculum adoptions during the meeting; the presentation described ongoing implementation and support activities.