Several schools in Northern Virginia did so well on their state standardized exams that they’ve been rewarded with a free pass from meeting accreditation for the next three years. While the Loudoun and Prince William public schools figure out exactly what the leeway will mean for their curriculum, Fairfax County’s superintendent and other school chiefs across the state are fighting for more direct flexibility with the Standards of Learning exams.
The Virginia Department of Education said the 54 schools across the commonwealth automatically receiving three-years of accreditation will still have to meet other state and federal benchmarks for progress, and students still must take the state exams.
| Ticket to ride |
| These local public schools get three years of accreditation guaranteed because students performed so well on Virginia’s Standards of Learning, and the school systems decided to pursue a waiver. |
| Loudoun County |
| Lincoln Elementary |
| Lowes Island Elementary |
| Newton-Lee Elementary |
| Pinebrook Elementary |
| Sanders Corner Elementary |
| Stone Bridge High |
| Waterford Elementary |
| Prince William County |
| Mary G. Porter Traditional |
| Mountain View Elementary |
| Springwoods Elementary |
However, the schools that achieved pass rates of 95 percent or greater on the 2009 and 2010 tests in English, math, science and history — including seven in Loudoun and three in Prince William — can opt to explore creative test-preparation strategies.
Jennifer Cassatta, director of accountability for Prince William County Public Schools, said her principals are still fleshing out what changes could be on the table. “It takes a little bit of the extra pressure off, and allows them to focus on the challenging expectations they have for their students, to go beyond pass rates and get students into the advanced levels,” she said.
Loudoun County was similarly sorting out the reward. Mike Martin, director of elementary education, said teachers might focus more on non-tested subjects.
Arlington and Fairfax did not apply; Frank Bellavia, a spokesman for Arlington County Public Schools, said the four eligible schools routinely receive accreditation anyway.
Fairfax County Superintendent Jack Dale joined the chiefs of four other districts last week to lobby the state to allow earlier testing, then retesting for students who do not immediately pass the exams.
Roanoke County Superintendent Lorraine Lange told the state board she was proud that four of her schools received the waivers, “but the flexibility does not give us the same flexibility that we’re asking for now.”
The state board has expressed interest in the idea but is concerned that two testing dates could divide or “track” students.
