Here are some basic points about the accusations being leveled against our Public Schools related to levels of difficulty and reliability of data.
The Pandemic
Though state tests were waived one year and scores dropped the following, the drop was a national and global one. The problems were predictable for two years of seriously interrupted instruction and widespread traumatic events outside of schools for students and faculties. Projections of recovery have been at least three years. Some schools are progressing faster than others. Scores are rebounding with the use of ESSER funds and state grants, but it is too early to tell when equilibrium will be fully established. To use scores from 2020-2022 as representations of the systems' stable conditions is misleading and disingenuous of policy makers and political actors.
The Math Question
In 2014, at the behest of the business and tech sectors, the VADOE expanded the courses that could substitute for Algebra II to satisfy requirements for an advanced diploma to include courses like computer science, statistics, and economics. Students still have to pass 3 high school math courses to qualify for an advanced diploma.
Currently these are the advanced diploma requirements.
The Virginia Mathematics Pathways Initiative program which is under development has been highly criticized by Fox News and other conservative outlets. According to UVA developers it does not eliminate options but modernizes with more contemporary math applications and adds options.
The National Scenario
The following accusations are being levied across the nation and are originating from national libertarian think tanks and strategists.
The Honesty Gap
Gov. Youngkin’s administration came in advertising Virginia had an “honesty gap.” The idea hinges on differences between state tests and the NAEP. And poses the idea that schools are deliberately misleading parents about how well their students are doing. The “Honesty Gap” Is affiliated with Achieve, Inc. and The Collaborative for Student Success, privatization organizations. The hypothesis is not considered factually defensible by most academicians and educators. https://honestygap.org/what-is-the-honesty-gap/
The NAEP Comparison
The NAEP is the federal DOE’s test. Each subject field is given to a random selection of students across the country every three years. They do not test all students in all courses. The most recent NAEP tested just under 3,500 Virginia students (less than 1.9%). In Fairfax County 476 were tested out of 181,109 students from 23 schools out of 200. (1.8%)
As you can tell from the 2019 4th grade Math snapshot, Virginia students scored lower than only 1 state in the nation. They scored as well as, or above the other 48. Though scores dropped on the 2022 NAEP, Virginia still scored above the national average.
For reference, according to the Brookings, NAEP’s proficient category is above grade level, not on grade level. However, even allowing for proficiency being higher than grade level, Virginia’s performance on the NAEP is not low. Our rankings on the NAEP for the last three rounds has been above the national average.
The “Virginia is 50th” story
The administration’s messengers have been saying that Virginia ranks 50th on the NAEP. That is not true. Here is the chart they use to show that message. This analysis compares how similar state assessments are to the NAEP. There are two national companies that provide state assessments which are much more tightly aligned with the NAEP than others. Those tests are the SBAC and the PARC. This study does not report any actual student scores, or actual state performance, only the perception of the researchers as to whether the state test is similar in difficulty to the NAEP. Virginia uses Pearson and develops our own rather than using other pre-packaged standards and tests.
The NAEP acknowledges that 22 years of the NAEP has not significantly improved reading outcomes or closed the achievement gap. Which calls into question whether mimicking the NAEP would provide any improved outcomes for Virginia.
When they are ready to graduate.
Virginia outperformed 49 out of 50 states on the 2021 SAT report. Here’s the chart.
https://worldpopulationreview.com/state-rankings/best-states-for-education
Advanced Academic programs and career path programs in Virginia.
In Virginia's 133 schools districts we have:19 Academic-Year Governors Schools (Schools for highest performing high schoolers)
There are 9 Career and Technical Education Centers around the state.
All 40 Community College sites offer Dual Enrollment courses in conjunction with surrounding districts in both academic and career courses.
We have 78 International Baccalaureate programs around the state.
Virginia Schools rank 6th nationally in students taking and passing Advanced Placement classes
Virginia offers a huge number of Career and Technology programs serving 670,000 students per year.
Courses Fairfax County offers for Career and Technical certifications
24 courses in Business and Technology
17 Different courses in Family and Consumer Sciences (Culinary and Childcare)
27 courses in Health and Medical Sciences
12 courses in Marketing
23 separate courses in Technology and Engineering
44 in Trades and Industrial Education
At the state level there are 17 different fields of study for CTE certifications with numerous choices under each of the 17 categories, similar to what is offered in Fairfax.
Other Background
The Predictable State SOL cycle
As we update our standards for each subject field on a rotating basis every 7 years, scores fluctuate based on the time and resources it takes to re-align to the new standards.
In year 1 and 2 after the update there is often a drop in scores as teachers adjust their focus away from things that were in the old standards to items in the new. Changes in scores can also be a reflection of newly introduced testing conditions such as new computer interfaces.
There can be a fluctuation some years based on the test makers shifting from one sub-set of the standards to another. For instance, 4th grade math has 16 overall standards, but has an additional 30 secondary standards underneath those. Not all the 46 elements will be tested any given year. With between 32 and 42 questions each for each test, it takes a bit for the districts to recalibrate.
Race, Poverty, and Equity
Overall, Virginia has been fortunate that it had in place strong systems for adapting to changing conditions, and strong general support for its schools. Pre-K systems need enhancement and strengthening, and weak state funding for districts has made closing achievement gaps and building a fair system for every Virginia student more difficult. Substantial numbers of our districts are high needs due to economic conditions and unique profiles. And our buildings are aging and need upgrades.
If Virginia is to meet its constitutional aspirations of the highest quality education for every student, it will be necessary to stop throwing insults and making accusations. Only a clear-eyed look at what our students need, what works, and rebuilding what was once a teaching workforce envied by the nation will lead us in a positive direction.
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