Standards of Learning

Budget cuts have had a major impact on schools in our area. In Franklin County, the music program could hit a sour note unless money is raised to keep the music playing. That’s why both current and former students at Franklin County High School...

It's the same criticism you hear over and over again about Virginia's Standards of Learning (SOL's), they're just teaching to the test and students aren't really learning anything. The state hopes to prove the critics wrong by introducing a much...

Math assessments for Virginia students will be harder under revisions adopted by the state Board of Education. Media outlets report that the board unanimously adopted more rigorous Standards of Learning math tests for grades three through eight on...

Highland County is one of two school divisions in Virginia recognized for raising the academic achievement of economically disadvantaged students.  The Virginia Board of Education also honored 92 schools across the state, including more than 30 in central...

Virginia's Superintendent of Public Instruction is warning state lawmakers that Standards of Learning pass rates will fall sharply when new mathematics tests debut this Spring. Wednesday morning, Dr. Patricia Wright told members of the House Education...

It's time for change.  That was the message behind a press conference held by several local school superintendents. In attendance were the superintendents from Roanoke City, Salem, Botetourt County, Montgomery County, Bedford, Floyd, and Craig County.  A...

Some Bedford County students are getting their hands dirty in a new outdoor classroom. Moneta Elementary School is starting a school garden.  Second graders are growing vegetables that will be harvested and served in the school cafeteria. Moneta's...

Ninety-six percent of Virginia's public schools are fully accredited for the 2011-12 school year.  The Virginia Department of Education made the announcement Thursday.  The accreditation is based on performance of students on Standards of Learning and...

New River Valley students are spending time out of the classroom this week. Four hundred 4th-graders are at Virginia Tech learning about the importance of agriculture. It's called the Junior Hokie Showcase. Students learn about different types of...

RICHMOND, Va. (AP) -- Virginia education officials have approved 13 vendors that can provide online instruction to public school students. The state Department of Education said Monday that school divisions can contract with the approved providers to...

On the ground and around the country, NASA's budget cuts are impacting space and science education including at a Southwestern Virginia school district. If ever there was a mission of greater importance, the teachers inside one classroom at...

Some Blacksburg High School students had a different choice for prom queen this year: the winner was a man. Jake Boyer was senior class secretary, a choir member, editor of his school's literary magazine, and now prom queen. "This was as much a social...