Understanding the Virginia Standards of Learning (SOL) for Mathematics

The Virginia Standards of Learning (SOL) for Mathematics outline the essential content and skills students should acquire at each grade level. These standards serve as the foundation for mathematics education in Virginia, guiding curriculum development, instruction, and assessment. This article provides an overview of the SOL, recent revisions, and available resources to support implementation.

Overview of the Virginia Mathematics Standards of Learning

The Virginia Department of Education (VDOE) establishes the SOL for all subjects, including mathematics. These standards define what students are expected to know and be able to do in each grade, from kindergarten through high school. The SOL are designed to ensure that all students receive a rigorous and comprehensive mathematics education, preparing them for success in college, careers, and life.

Recent Revisions to the Mathematics SOL

The Mathematics Standards of Learning undergo periodic review and revision to ensure they remain relevant, rigorous, and aligned with current research and best practices. The first revision of the standards since 2016, that took place in 2023, includes several key changes:

Increased Rigor and Depth: The revised standards emphasize a deeper understanding of mathematical concepts and skills, encouraging students to apply their knowledge in more complex and challenging situations.
Improved Vertical Coherence: The standards are designed to build upon each other across grade levels, creating a more seamless and logical progression of learning.
Application and Connection of Concepts: The revised standards encourage students to connect mathematical concepts within a course and to real-world contexts.
Greater Focus on Data Analysis: The standards place increased emphasis on data analysis skills throughout the curriculum, preparing students to interpret and analyze data in various contexts.
Embedded Mathematical Process Goals: The revised standards integrate the Mathematical Process Goals, which emphasize problem-solving, reasoning, communication, connections, and representation.

Structure of the Revised Standards

The structure of the standards has also been adjusted. In the 2016 SOLs, the essential knowledge and skills were in bullet points in a separate curriculum framework document. In comparison, the 2023 knowledge and skills are substandards in the main standards document. For example, in the 2016 standards, A.2 stated:

The student will perform operations on polynomials, including

Read also: Virginia Peninsula Budget Guide

a) applying the laws of exponents to perform operations on expressions;

b) adding, subtracting, multiplying, and dividing polynomials; and

c) factoring completely first- and second-degree binomials and trinomials in one variable.

It then included eight bulleted essential knowledge and skills to add context to the standard.

We can compare this to the 2023 standards, where the comparable standard A.EO.2 is defined as follows:

The student will perform operations on and factor polynomial expressions in one variable.

The standard then includes five ordered substandards (a-e) which provide similar detail to the bullets in the 2016 standards. For educators, the streamlined approach, which builds the knowledge and skills directly into the standards, has the potential to clarify expectations and provide focus. There will be less ambiguity about what is included in a standard, as the clarifications and details are in the same place as the standards. Additionally, when measuring a student's mastery of a specific standard, there is less opportunity for a student to have mastered part of a standard while having unfinished learning in another significant piece. The better-defined substandards aim to allow educators to identify areas of strength and growth for individuals and groups more precisely.

Examples of Specific Standards

To illustrate the nature of the SOL, here are some examples of specific standards from different areas of mathematics:

Algebra I

A.EO.2.b: Determine the product of polynomial expressions in one variable, using a variety of strategies, including concrete objects and their related pictorial and symbolic models, the application of the distributive property, and the use of area models.
A.EO.2.c: Factor completely first- and second-degree polynomials in one variable with integral coefficients.
A.EI.1.f: Verify possible solution(s) to multistep linear equations and inequalities in one variable algebraically, graphically, and with technology to justify the reasonableness of the answer(s). Examples of IXL skills aligned to this standard include:
- Does x satisfy the equation?
- Which x satisfies an equation?
A.EI.2.h: Verify possible solution(s) to a system of two linear equations, a linear inequality in two variable, or a system of two linear inequalities algebraically, graphically, and with technology to justify the reasonableness of the answer(s). Examples of IXL skills aligned to this standard include:
- Is (x, y) a solution to the system of equations?
- Does (x, y) satisfy the inequality?
- Is (x, y) a solution to the system of linear inequalities?
A.EI.3.c: Verify possible solution(s) to a quadratic equation in one variable algebraically, graphically, and with technology to justify the reasonableness of answer(s).
A.F.1.d: Write the equation of a linear function to model a linear relationship between two quantities, including those that can represent contextual situations.
A.F.2.g: For any value, x, in the domain of f, determine f(x) of a quadratic or exponential function. Determine x given any value f(x) in the range of f of a quadratic function.

Implementation Timeline

While the VDOE released the draft standards on June 15, 2023, they are still subject to final approval. The VDOE expects to formally approve the standards in August or September of 2023, shortly after the school year has begun. If this happens as expected, the full implementation of the 2023 SOLs will begin during the 2024-2025 school year.

As a result, the structure of the 2023-2024 school year is in flux for many divisions. The initial timeline provided in January 2022 by the DOE planned for full implementation was slated for 2025-2026, with 2024-2025 as a crosswalk year. The crosswalk would have divisions working on both sets of standards at once. The 2023-2024 school year would remain focused on the 2016 standards.

With the shortened timeline, there is no longer a formal crosswalk year as was originally planned. However, many divisions will attempt to incorporate the new standards as much as possible in 2023-2024 to ensure minimal gaps for students when transitioning fully to the 2023 standards in August 2024. It is important to connect with your division leadership to understand their expectations around following and assessing the new standards this year.

Resources for Implementing the SOL

The VDOE provides a variety of resources to support teachers and schools in implementing the Mathematics SOL. These resources include:

Curriculum Frameworks: Detailed curriculum frameworks outline the specific content and skills to be taught at each grade level.
Assessment Resources: The VDOE provides assessment resources, including sample test questions and performance tasks, to help teachers assess student learning.
Professional Development: The VDOE offers professional development opportunities for teachers to deepen their understanding of the SOL and effective instructional practices.

Mathspace

Mathspace is a digital math resource used by students throughout Virginia, including in divisions like Fairfax County and Virginia Beach City. Mathspace provides students with real-time, step-by-step support on every question they attempt, with immediate feedback and adaptive help, using our unique StepSmart Technology. As part of our plan to support Virginia schools' transition to the 2023 Standards, we have launched a brand-new Crosswalk Skills Book. This Crosswalk Skills Book includes:

full alignment to the 2023 SOLs and the 2016 SOLs, making it easier to make a connection between the old and the new standards,
digital StepSmart practice for every 2023 SOL, from 6th grade through Algebra 2,
adaptive problem sets for quick assignment,
and more.

The Crosswalk Skills Book is being offered at no charge for the upcoming 2023-2024 school year to all districts in Virginia.

Kiddom Virginia Math

Kiddom is an education technology company that merges dynamic digital tools with high-quality instructional materials. Kiddom Virginia Math is founded on Illustrative MathematicsÂ®, with customizations exclusively for Virginia. To ensure alignment with the state standards, the scope of all lessons are customized for Virginia. For example, in Kindergarten, counting lessons were adjusted to include counting up to 30 instead of 20; fractions in third grade now only include denominators of 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 8, or 10. Amy Gensemer, Head of Curriculum at Kiddom, expressed Kiddom's commitment to excellence in developing this unique offering to the state of Virginia, "Our team dug deep into the SOLs and we listened to Virginia teachers share what mattered to them in the classroom: building strong math communities. Studying the SOLs and talking with practitioners inspired us and we put that inspiration to work.

NCTM's Online Catalog

Linking assessment to everyday classroom instruction requires a shift in both thinking and practice. For many, the term assessment simply means grade. Using Classroom Assessment to Improve Student Learning shows how teachers can move away from using tests, letter or numerical grades, or passing or failing as evidence of student learning to creating a rich classroom environment that is conducive to effective formative assessment. This product can only be purchased via NCTM's Online catalog. Payment methods, such as POs, cannot be used to purchase this item.

tags: #virginia #standards #of #learning #math #explained