• Virginia has set up some standards of learning that the state expects school children to meet.learning basics image by Sergey Mostovoy from Fotolia.com
  
  Virginia has set up certain requirements for school students in all grades to meet. These state expectations for student learning and achievement relate to all major subjects, including English, mathematics, science, history, technology and driver education. Schools have certain resources available to help them meet the Virginia Standards of Learning (SOL).
  
  

Sample Tests

• The Virginia Department of Education (VDOE) makes available to students and teachers samples of SOL tests from previous years. These are actual tests that the state administered to public school students. The students could use these tests to get an idea about the content and skills that the SOL tests assess. The VDOE also makes available test blueprints that provide a guide as to how the state constructs its SOL tests.
  
  

Curriculum Frameworks

• Another SOL resource available to schools and teachers is the SOL curriculum framework. The curriculum framework provides input on the knowledge, level of understanding and skills that the SOL tests measure. This sets up a guidance for schools as they develop their curricula. Teachers could also use this Virginia SOL resource to develop their lesson plans so that they can prepare students for the test.
  
  

Enhanced Guides

• The state provides an enhanced version of its sample scope and sequence guide that helps teachers bring their classroom instruction in line with the Virginia SOL. These enhanced sample scope and sequence guides provide teachers input on the standards of learning, as well as the knowledge and skills from the curriculum frameworks. This resource also provides sample lesson plans that go with the essential knowledge and skills that the curriculum framework defines. Teachers who use this Virginia SOL resource could go with it as a valuable tool for instruction. However, these guides don't provide a complete curriculum.