RICHMOND, Va. (AP) – Virginia education officials say new, more rigorous assessment tests drove down the number of schools meeting state standards.
The Virginia Department of Education says 77 percent of Virginia’s public schools are fully accredited after meeting state benchmarks. That’s down from 93 percent last year.
Officials say 1,413 of the state’s 1,828 schools met objectives on 2012-13 Standards of Learning tests and other assessments in English, mathematics, science and history – and, for high schools, graduation.
The number of schools accredited with warning nearly quadrupled to 395, and six schools have been denied state accreditation because of chronically low achievement.
Over the last two years, the state has implemented new math, English and science tests aimed at better preparing students for college or post-graduation employment.
Is it time for hysterics? Are Virginia schools going to hell in a hand basket? No. New tests have been implemented over the past two years. Make no mistake. It is all political.
