Full Implementation of the 2010
English Standards of Learning:
Instructional Updates
Jackie Kelley
English Specialist
Vision to Practice
July 2012
Standards of Learning Review
Process
• The Standards of Quality require the Board
of Education to review the Standards of
Learning on a regular schedule.
• The English Standards of Learning were
developed in 1995 and revised in 2002.
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July 2012
Standards of Learning Review
Process
• Higher Education Review Committee
meets to review proposed SOL
• Feedback solicited from business leaders
• Following first review, the proposed
English SOL placed on the VDOE Web
site for review and public comment
• A series of Public hearings held as
prescribed the BOE
• The proposed English SOL presented to
BOE for final review and adoption
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July 2012
English Curriculum Framework
Review Process
• In writing the Curriculum Framework, the
following were considered:
• Alignment studies from Achieve, College Board,
and ACT
• Reports from National Council of Teachers of
English (NCTE), International Reading
Association (IRA), The American Association of
School Librarians (AASL)
• Common Core State Standards for English
Language Arts
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July 2012
Schedule of implementation
• January 2010 –BOE approves and adopts the
2010 English Standards of Learning
• November 2010 – BOE approves and adopts the
2010 English Standards of Learning Curriculum
Framework
• 2011-2012 – SOL Field testing on items aligned
to the 2010 English Standards of Learning
• February – April, 2012 – SOL online writing field
test for grades 5, 8, and EOC
• Fall 2012 - Full implementation of SOL EOC
Reading
• Spring 2013 - Full implementation of grades 3-8
and EOC Reading; grades 5, 8, and EOC Writing
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July 2012
IMPLICATIONS FOR
INSTRUCTION
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July 2012
Curriculum Framework
• Students are expected to continue to
apply knowledge, skills, and processes
from Standards of Learning presented
in previous grades as they build
expertise in English.
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July 2012
Curriculum Framework
• Assessment items may not and should
not be a verbatim reflection of the
information presented in the
Curriculum Framework.
• It is not meant to be an exhaustive or a
limiting document.
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July 2012
English Curriculum Framework
• Use all 3 columns of the English Framework Curriculum
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July 2012
Vocabulary
• Differentiate between denotation and
connotation
• Figurative language is addressed in
vocabulary (stand alone items)
• 9-12 vocabulary standards address idioms
and allusions - should not be taught in
isolation
Vision to Practice
July 2012
Vocabulary
• Vocabulary standards appear as the first
standard under reading in 4-12
• Use authentic texts, not merely word lists
• Use of affixes and roots
• Common Greek and Latin roots and affixes
Vision to Practice
July 2012
4-12 Reading
• Stronger vertical alignment grades 4-12
• Reading divided into fiction and nonfiction
strands
• Vocabulary standards appear as the first
standard under reading in 4-12
• Fiction includes narrative nonfiction, poetry,
and drama
Vision to Practice
July 2012
4-12 Reading
• SOL tests will emphasize nonfiction reading
using both informational and functional
passages
• Nonfiction reading includes emphasis on
text structures
• 9-12 nonfiction standards include
identification of faulty reasoning
• Main idea and supporting details in fiction
and nonfiction
Vision to Practice
July 2012
6-12 Reading
• Reading strategies are emphasized in each
strand including before, during, and after
reading
• Both fiction and nonfiction emphasize
making inferences and drawing conclusions
• Comparing texts is emphasized in 8-12
• Pair passages of same topic: fiction and
nonfiction
Vision to Practice
July 2012
9-12 Fiction Reading
• School divisions have the choice of sequence of
American, British, and world literature (10,11,12)
• Grade 9 fiction standard includes all literary
terms
• Grade 11 fiction standard includes literary
movements, archetypal characters, and themes
• No required reading list; local choice
Vision to Practice
July 2012
4-12 Nonfiction Reading
• Instruction should include both
informational and functional passages
• Nonfiction reading includes emphasis on
text structures and organizational patterns
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July 2012
6-12 Reading Nonfiction
Use of text features:
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Bold-face/italics
Use of color type
Underlining
Indentation
Side bars
Illustrations, graphics, photographs
Headings and subheadings
Footnotes and annotations
Vision to Practice
July 2012
6-12 Reading Nonfiction
Patterns of organizing nonfiction texts:
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Chronological or sequential
Comparison/contrast
Cause and effect
Problem-solution
Generalization or principle (explanation)
Enumeration or listing
Concept definition
Process
Vision to Practice
July 2012
4-12 Writing
• Writing revolves around mode, purpose, audience,
and process
• All students should be given practice writing on
demand, for shorter time frames, and over extended
periods of time
• Each grade level has a composing/revision standard
and an editing/grammar standard
• SOL writing does NOT require 5 paragraphs
Vision to Practice
July 2012
4-12 Writing
• Provide students with opportunities to compose
using computer technology (NAEP; SOL writing
online 5, 8, EOC)
• Provide students opportunities to use the Online
Practice SOL Writing Tool (no prompts provided)
• Teaching writing is an expectation of every grade,
not only “tested” grades
• Self- and peer-editing opportunities for students are
essential
Vision to Practice
July 2012
9-12 Writing
• Argumentative, persuasive, and analytical
writing is emphasized in 11th and 12th
grades
• Students should be able to produce a sound
argument, address counterclaims, provide
sound reasoning, and come to a just
conclusion
• Teachers need to stress “real life” writing
opportunities~ not merely literary analysis
Vision to Practice
July 2012
Research (Grades 4-12)
• Consequences of plagiarism, following
ethical and legal guidelines for gathering and
using information stressed grades 3-12
• Strand begins at grade 4
• Students conduct research projects in
grades 4 and 5
• Citation of primary and secondary sources
begins in grade 6
• MLA or APA documentation required in
grades 9-12
Vision to Practice
July 2012
4-12 Research
• Critically evaluate the accuracy, quality, and
validity of the information
• Frame, analyze, and synthesize information
to solve problems, answer questions, and
generate new knowledge
• Each research “product” does not have to be
a paper
• Incorporate Media Literacy into research
Vision to Practice
July 2012
Communication/Media Literacy
• Provide opportunities for collaboration
• Use of 21st century skills
• Paraphrasing and summarizing
• Active listening skills
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July 2012
Communication/Media Literacy
• Identify author, audience, content, and
purpose of media messages
• Compare/contrast auditory, visual, and
written media messages
• Identify persuasive techniques in
media messages
• Distinguish between fact and opinion
Vision to Practice
July 2012
Communication/Media Literacy
• 9-12 Review of media for persuasive or
rhetorical devices
• Pairs with persuasive/analytical reading and
writing
• Opportunities to write/analyze blogs, Web
sites, Pod casts, wikis, etc.
Vision to Practice
July 2012
Virginia College and Career
Readiness Initiative
• Designed to strengthen students'
preparation for college and the work force
before leaving high school
• English Performance Expectations (EPE) are
comprised of 51 Standards in reading,
writing, and communicating
Vision to Practice
July 2012
English Performance
Expectations
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July 2012
Next Steps
• SOL Institutes July 10 – August 7
• Enhanced Scope and Sequence
Summer 2012
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July 2012
English SOL Tests
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July 2012
Phase-Out of Paper/Pencil
Testing
• Language in the Appropriations Act requires
that all Standards of Learning (SOL) tests be
administered online by:
• 2010-2011 for all high schools
• 2011-2012 for all middle schools
• 2012-2013 for all elementary schools
Vision to Practice
July 2012
Phase-Out of Paper/Pencil
Testing: Exceptions
SOL tests available in a paper/pencil
format for students with a documented
need
Examples include:
• Attends school in a location where the
required technology is not available
(e.g., out-placed students or
homebound)
Vision to Practice
July 2012
Examples of Documented
Needs for Paper/Pencil Testing
• Accommodation in the IEP, 504 Plan, or LEP Plan
requires a paper test (e.g., Large-Print or Braille)
• Documented medical condition (e.g., seizure
disorder) where exposure to a computer will
aggravate the student’s condition
• Other exceptions must be approved by the VDOE
Vision to Practice
July 2012
Use of Technology-Enhanced
Items
• Online testing allows use of “technologyenhanced” items (TEI)
• TEI items make up 15 % of SOL
Reading/Writing Assessments
• Provides new ways of assessing higher
order thinking skills
• Students indicate answers in different ways
Vision to Practice
July 2012
Changes to SOL Reading Tests
• Research will be tested in writing instead of
reading
• The Reporting Categories include:
• word analysis
• comprehension of fiction
• comprehension of nonfiction
• Beginning in grade 5, there are more
nonfiction than fiction items
Vision to Practice
July 2012
4-12 Reading Blueprints
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July 2012
Grade 3 Reading
2012-2013 SOL Test
2009-2010 SOL Test
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July 2012
Grade 8 Reading
2012-2013 SOL Test
2009-2010 SOL Test
Vision to Practice
July 2012
EOC Reading
2012-2013 SOL Test
2009-2010 SOL Test
Vision to Practice
July 2012
Changes to SOL Writing Tests
• The End-of-Course direct writing prompt is
persuasive
 Research will be tested in writing
 Composing/Written Expression is now one
combined domain
 Prompts will be released before the tests
Vision to Practice
July 2012
SOL Writing Blueprints
Vision to Practice
July 2012
Scoring with the SOL Writing
Rubric
All student papers are read by at least
two readers; their scores are added
together
Composing/Written Expression score
counts twice
Usage/Mechanics score counts once
If judges scores are more than 1 point
apart, papers are read by a third judge
Vision to Practice
July 2012
SOL Two Domain Writing
Rubric
• Composing/Written
Expression
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Audience/purpose
Central Idea
Effective conclusions
Counter arguments
Elaboration
Unity
Organization
Deliberate Word
Choice
Selected, Precise
Information
Sentence Variety
Tone
Voice
• Usage and
Mechanics
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Sentence Formation
Usage
Standard Inflections
Comparison of
Adjectives / Adverbs
Agreement
Mechanics
Capitalization
Spelling
Punctuation
Formatting
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July 2012
Writing Rubrics
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July 2012
Grade 5 Writing
2012-2013 SOL Test
2009-2010 SOL Test
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July 2012
Grade 8 Writing
2012-2013 SOL Test
2009-2010 SOL Test
Vision to Practice
July 2012
EOC Writing
2012-2013 SOL Test
2009-2010 SOL Test
Vision to Practice
July 2012
RESOURCES
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July 2012
VDOE Writing Practice Tool
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July 2012
VDOE Writing Practice Tool
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July 2012
VDOE Writing Practice Tool
Typing tools
Current line
location
Progress bar
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July 2012
4-12 Writing
Online Writing Practice Tool available at:
http://www.doe.virginia.gov/testing/sol/pr
actice/writing_practice_tool.shtml
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July 2012
http://www.doe.virginia.gov/testing/sol/frameworks/english
_framewks/2010/english_sol_crosswalk_02_10.pdf
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July 2012
Literacy Web Page
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July 2012
SOL Progression Charts
Writing
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July 2012
SOL Progression Charts
Reading
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July 2012
Online Writing Web Page
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July 2012
Writing Resources
Downloadable Writing Process graphic
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July 2012
Questions?
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July 2012
Contact Information
Jackie Kelley
English Specialist
Virginia Department of
Education
Jacquelyn.Kelley@doe.virginia.gov
804-786-2484
Vision to Practice
July 2012