Wythe County reports preliminary SOL results, outlines expanded literacy interventions
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Summary
Wythe County Public Schools officials said the division ranked 17th in Virginia with an overall pass rate near 80% and described plans to expand reading interventions, implement student reading plans for K–5 and roll out VALS screening for grades 4–8.
Wythe County Public Schools presented preliminary Standards of Learning testing results and a multi-pronged literacy plan at the school board meeting on Sept. 11, 2025.
Dr. James, presenting the SOL update, said the division is ranked 17th in Virginia and reported "about an 80% overall pass rate in all categories combined." He highlighted strong subject-level outcomes in reading and math and noted several schools among the state’s top performers in particular grades and subjects. Dr. James emphasized the results are preliminary and based on division SRC reports pending the state’s final release.
The presentation included subgroup performance and comparative context: reading pass rates were described as notably strong for economically disadvantaged students when compared with state averages, and math remained above the state average in multiple grade bands. Dr. James and board members discussed chronic absenteeism from the prior year as a factor that affected regional results.
Board members and staff framed the scores as part of a broader accountability system. Dr. James explained how the division’s "mastery" portion is weighted differently by school level and that additional accountability elements (growth and readiness) remain pending from the state; he told trustees the division will provide the remaining data when it is released.
Reading coaches Amanda Gilman, Molly Dalton and Lauren Jackson followed with a detailed report on literacy work from 2024–25 and plans for 2025–26. They described professional development, adoption of Benchmark Advance as the county’s core instructional material for comprehension and state-approved HQIM for phonics (UFLY/PEGRT as discussed), and extensive use of screeners and data to write student reading plans. Lauren Jackson summarized gains in early-grade screening data, noting a reduction in the countywide share of kindergarten students classified as high risk from 40% in the fall screening to about 22% in spring screening on the measures the division uses.
Coaches said the division is expanding VALS screening (the local term used in the presentation) for students in grades 4–8 who failed spring SOLs or who have certain accommodation histories; those students will receive individually written student reading plans and targeted interventions. Staff estimated about 500 new K–5 student reading plans will be written this year as screeners return.
The coaches described classroom supports (co-teaching, pacing documents, frequent progress monitoring) and a 3-week progress-monitoring cycle for interventions. Trustees asked clarifying questions about timelines and alignment with Individualized Education Programs; presenters explained that reading plans for students with IEPs are matched to IEP goals and that plans are a working document reviewed regularly.
The superintendent and presenters said the division will provide the finalized state data and additional accountability components to the board when available. The presentation closed with board praise for teachers and staff and an affirmation of continuing literacy investments.