SOL Testing

The state of Virginia has established achievement tests that are administered at the end of 3rd, 4th, 5th and 6th grades to measure the mastery of curriculum. The Standards of Learning Tests (SOLs) test students in the areas of reading, writing, math, history and science. The purpose of SOL assessments is to provide information about students’ achievement of the state SOL objectives in English reading, mathematics, and science.  The Virginia Department of Education requires participation in these tests as follows:

• Grade 3 – Math and Reading
• Grade 4 – Math and Reading
• Grade 5 – Math, Reading, and Science
• Grade 6 – Math and Reading

Please see the table below for Timber Lane’s testing dates.  It is important that your child attend school on the dates designated for them to test.  Please ensure your child gets plenty of rest the night prior.  Please plan around the dates that will be scheduled so that your child is available during the testing time frame.  A retest is available when a student fails their first attempt with a score of 375-399 (where 400 is passing).  If you believe that your student would benefit from the retake option, you can fill out this Google Form granting permission or sign and send back the paper copy that has been sent home in Wednesday folders indicating you give permission. 

More information on the Standards of Learning assessments can be found here.  Please reach out to Shele Banford (703) 206-5300 as questions arise.

Universal Screener

Recently, FCPS adopted a universal screener assessment for use with all elementary school students in grade 1 through grade 6.

The purpose of this assessment is to identify students who may have gaps in reading and math skills so that teachers can plan supports appropriate for each child. 

The universal screener is an online, computer-adaptive assessment. Computer-adaptive means that the difficulty of questions will adjust based on each child’s performance. When your child gets a question correct, the next question will be a little harder. When your child gets a question wrong, the next question will be a little easier. Through this adjustment process, the computer will narrow in on just the right level for your child.

The universal screener tests will be given three times each year. For the exact dates when your child will test, please contact your child’s teacher. After each testing window, your child’s teacher will share your child’s universal screener results with you.