VA Standards of Learning
Standards of Learning
The Standards of Learning (SOL) for Virginia Public Schools establish minimum expectations for what students should know and be able to do at the end of each grade or course in English, mathematics, science, history/social science and other subjects.
SOL tests in reading, writing, mathematics, science and history/social science measure the success of students in meeting the Board of Education’s expectations for learning and achievement. All items on SOL tests are reviewed by Virginia classroom teachers for accuracy and fairness and teachers also assist the state Board of Education in setting proficiency standards for the tests.
Visit the VDOE Standards of Learning page for the most current information about SOL Standards and Testing.
Math (Adopted 2016)
Preparing Virginia’s students to pursue higher education, to compete in a global workforce, and to be informed citizens requires rigorous mathematical knowledge and skills. Students must gain an understanding of fundamental ideas in number sense, computation, measurement, geometry, probability, data analysis and statistics, and algebra and functions, and they must develop proficiency in mathematical skills. Standards are identified for kindergarten through grade eight and for a core set of high school courses. Throughout a student’s mathematics schooling from kindergarten through grade eight, specific content strands are included. These content strands are Number and Number Sense; Computation and Estimation; Measurement and Geometry; Probability and Statistics; and Patterns, Functions, and Algebra. The Standards of Learning within each strand progress in complexity throughout the grade levels and into high school course content.
English (Adopted 2017)
The goals of the English Standards of Learning are to teach students to read, write, research, and communicate. Students should be prepared to participate in society as literate citizens, equipped with the ability to think analytically, solve problems, communicate effectively, and collaborate with diverse groups in their communities, workplace, and postsecondary education. As students progress through the school years, they become active and involved learners and develop a full command of the English language, evidenced by their use of Standard English and their rich speaking and writing vocabularies. Standards for kindergarten through twelfth grade are organized in four related strands: Communication and Multimodal Literacies, Reading, Writing, and Research. Each grade level is preceded by an overview that describes the major concepts and skills that each student will be expected to understand and demonstrate.
Science (Adopted 2018)
The Science Standards of Learning for Virginia Public Schools identify academic content for essential components of the science curriculum at different grade levels. The content of the standards, in conjunction with effective instruction, provide a platform for creating scientifically literate students. The Science Standards of Learning reflect a vertical progression of content and practices. The Standards of Learning contain content strands or topics that progress in complexity as they are studied at various grade levels in grades K-5 and are represented indirectly throughout the middle and high school courses. These strands are
- Scientific and Engineering Practices
- Force, Motion, and Energy
- Matter
- Living Systems and Processes
- Earth and Space Systems
- Earth Resources
History & Social Science (Adopted 2015)
Physical Education and Health (Adopted 2022)
The Physical Education Standards of Learning for Virginia Public Schools identify the academic content for the essential concepts, processes, and skills for physical education in kindergarten through grade twelve. These standards provide school divisions and teachers with a guide for creating aligned curricula and learning experiences in physical education to help students understand the benefits of achieving and maintaining a physically active lifestyle and learn the skills necessary for performing a variety of physical activities.
Heath (Adopted 2020)
Health education increases health literacy, helps students understand how to achieve and maintain a healthy lifestyle, and fosters the motivation, skills, and self-efficacy necessary to make informed and healthy choices, avoid high-risk behaviors, and build healthy families, relationships, schools, and communities. The Health Education Standards of Learning for Virginia Public Schools identify the concepts, processes, and academic, social and emotional skills for a continuum of learning experiences for students from kindergarten to grade ten.
Computer Science (Adopted 2017)
Standards are identified for kindergarten through grade eight, with an optional selection of electives modules at the middle school level, and a sequence of high school courses. The standards are organized into the following content strands: Computing Systems, Networks and the Internet, Cybersecurity, Data and Analysis, Algorithms and Programming, and Impacts of Computing. The Standards of Learning within each strand progress in complexity throughout the grade levels and into high school course content.
Family Life (Adopted 2020)
Fine Arts (Adopted 2020)
The Fine Arts Standards of Learning increases focus on creativity and innovation in the arts and were reviewed in relationship to instructional practices related to diversity, equity, and inclusion.
