Weigh in on Proposed Change to SOL Testing Program

This article was lifted from the VEA website. If you're a member, stop by the VEA website and vote in our special run-off election. You'll need your membership number to vote.

Weigh in on Proposed Change to SOL Testing Program

At the last Virginia Board of Education meeting, a proposal was made to eliminate the third grade social studies SOL test. Social studies testing is not required under NCLB, and most states do not have a required social studies test. If the third grade social studies test is eliminated, students will continue to take other required third grade tests. Additionally, annual testing in history will still occur in the other currently tested grade levels. Last year, there was a 93 percent pass rate statewide on the third grade social studies test. The state superintendent has proposed that the third grade reading test be modified to include passages based on the social studies SOL content standards as a means of ensuring that the content be taught.

Proponents of eliminating the test argue that removing the third grade social studies test will allow teachers and schools to focus both time and resources on literacy. Teachers will be given greater flexibility to embed social studies content into their reading curricula. Proponents also suggest that the $380,000 savings will allow the state to update and improve tests required under NCLB. The proposed elimination of this test is in response to a request from school superintendents to reduce the testing load.

Opponents of eliminating the third grade social studies test include the Virginia Consortium of Social Studies Specialists and College Educators. This advocacy group acknowledges that the current method of multiple choice testing is flawed, but is concerned that if the test is dropped, social studies will be under-emphasized in elementary school curricula. They worry that social studies instructional time will be reduced, and that ultimately, student performance in future grades will suffer. Additional concerns have been raised that the elimination of this test will simply make the fourth grade test even more broad and difficult to prepare for by adding four more years of content to this test.

The Board will make a final decision at its June 25 meeting. The VEA is currently formulating a position, and needs input from teachers. Please click here to participate in a short survey to help us in this effort.

RCEA Installs New Officers

Just prior to the RCEA Retirement Reception at Plantation On Sunnybrook, the RCEA installed new officers. Tammy Wood took over as president, replacing Thom Ryder. Sarah Hollett was reelected as Treasurer. Linda Hogan from NHS was elected as High School at Large representative. In addition, Kenya Huffman was appointed by the president to fill the Secretary position, and Thom Ryder was appointed to fill the unexpired term of Elementary at Large.

The ceremony was held in the beautiful garden pavilion with many of our representative attending.

RCEA Retirement Reception 2009

Watching the crowd stream in to The Plantation on Sunnybrook for the RCEA Retirement Reception was a thing to behold. On Monday May 18, People began arriving around 5pm and by 5:30 the parking lot was full and cars were parked all along Plantation Road. The facility is designed for large crowds and we certainly had one. The vast majority of our 60 plus retiring members came as did many teachers from their schools. Dr. Lange, school superintendent was there as were school board members Fuzzy Minnix, David Wymer, Jerry Canada, and chairman Drew Barrineau. In addition, Roanoke County supervisor Charlotte Moore visited us as did VEA's NEA Director, Sarah Patton. We were also fortunate to have many already retired ex members of our organization. Their presence made the whole event even more special and gave it a distinct family atmosphere.

The food was prepared by the generous staff at Plantation On Sunnybrook lead by owners Randy and Tammy Skaggs. Their staff worked hard to accommodate us.

Please enjoy these photos from the gathering.

Mark Robertson from NHS, was one of the three winners of $1000 RCEA Memorial Scholarships. The other two winners, not pictured here, were Amanda Hartman from WBHS and Courtney Lazore from NHS.

The Retirees

After the scholarship awards were presented, we took time to honor each retiree. Here's a collection of photographs of most of the retirees who were in attendance.

Honoring the Retirees

This collection of photos come from the last portion of our reception. In this part, groups of people come to the podium and say a few words about the retirees. Sometimes light-hearted and sometimes tearfully moving, this portion of the ceremony is our favorite part.