Virginia Students' Academic Performance Improves Despite More Challenging Assessments

Strategic Insights -

Virginia students' reading and math assessments for grades 3 through 8 showed improvement in the 2024-25 school year, despite the state making assessments more "rigorous" for students. According to data from the Department of Education, Virginia's Standards of Learning (SOL) pass rates for grades 3 through 8 in reading and math increased over the past three years. In reading, pass rates increased from 70.4% to 71.9%, and in math, pass rates increased from 64.8% to 68.3%.

Key Takeaways:

  • The "Restoring Excellence to Education" plan implemented by Gov. Glenn Youngkin included setting higher expectations and supporting schools with financial investments, improving transparency and accountability, and combating learning loss with the "ALL IN VA" initiative.
  • The plan's success can be attributed to increased student attendance, higher pass rates in reading and math, and a more rigorous assessment system.
  • Pass rates are scored on the proficient and advanced levels, indicating that Virginia students are demonstrating a deeper understanding of complex topics and the ability to apply them in real-world situations.
  • Gov. Youngkin credited the plan's success to setting high expectations, believing that when students are expected to perform at a higher level, they will deliver more.
  • The "ALL IN VA" initiative, aimed at addressing learning loss and boosting student achievement post-COVID-19 pandemic, invested $418 million in the commonwealth.
  • The governor plans to continue investing in education, citing a $10 billion surplus, and will prioritize education funding in his final budget.

Statistics:

  • Virginia's SOL pass rates for grades 3 through 8 in reading increased from 70.4% to 71.9% over the past three years.
  • Virginia's SOL pass rates for grades 3 through 8 in math increased from 64.8% to 68.3% over the past three years.
  • The "ALL IN VA" initiative invested $418 million in the commonwealth.
  • Virginia has a $10 billion surplus, which will be used to continue investing in education.

Sources:

  • (https://www.governor.virginia.gov/newsroom/news-releases/2023/september/name-1013658-en.html)
  • (https://virginiamercury.com/2025/02/27/tougher-academic-standards-ahead-for-virginia-students/)
  • (https://virginiamercury.com/subscribe)