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Superintendent warns proposed reading, math cut-score increases would halve Clarke County pass rates
Summary
Dr. Bowling told the board that draft Virginia Department of Education cut-score proposals for reading and math would sharply raise passing thresholds and, if applied as written, could reduce Clarke County’s reported pass rates from the mid-70s to roughly 39% in both subjects; he urged phased implementation and noted state-board votes in September and October.
Dr. Bowling presented a detailed review of proposed statewide changes to Standards of Learning (SOL) cut scores for reading and mathematics at the Clarke County School Board meeting on Sept. 22.
Dr. Bowling said Clarke County’s overall pass rate has risen in recent years — from about 68.12% in 2023 to 74.33% in 2025 — but that the state’s draft cut-score recommendations would materially change the thresholds for proficiency in reading and math. He told the board the proposals affect only reading and mathematics at this time, not writing, science or history.
Using the draft motion scores posted by the state, Dr.…
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