parent power  By Dr. Jo Lynne DeMary 

Why Study For SOL Tests?

Q. Our son’s elementary school asks that parents review material with their children prior to taking SOLs. I have heard that these tests are grading the school and the teacher and not the children. Is this correct? What is to motivate parents to get their children to study for SOL testing when the scores do not affect their children’s report cards or retention?  –Anonymous in Chesterfield County
A. The content in Virginia’s Standards of Learning (SOL) represents the knowledge and skills your son should have when he leaves the public schools. Tests are used to determine that the skills and knowledge not only have been taught but also learned.
There is accountability for students and for schools and, with No Child Left Behind, for school divisions and the state. In high school, students have to pass a certain number of tests in order to graduate.
While the results are used to determine the accreditation status of schools, the test results are also used to clarify if your son needs to attend summer school or an after-school intervention program or be retained in his current grade.
It is very helpful to have parents like yourself working as partners with the school to reinforce the content throughout the year for these cumulative tests. However, you should not be asked to teach new content because the school failed to do so.

Q. I offered to bring in cupcakes and ice cream for my third grade daughter’s class for an end-of-year celebration. Her teacher appeared appreciative, but promptly told me that the school had banned such treats due to the ever-increasing obesity rates among schoolchildren.
I felt hurt and even sad that children are missing out on some of the things that used to make school fun. To whom should I express my opinion?
A. The principal is the person who ultimately has to approve the practice.
Schools have been bombarded with information and recommendations concerning childhood obesity. Most are seeking ways to identify nonfood rewards for young people and to keep sugar intake to a minimum. If healthy choices are taught and wise decision-making modeled at school, the hope is that this learning will carry over to non-school environments.
Numerous PTAs have partnered with the schools to offer fun but healthy alternatives as well as before- and after-school walking clubs. I’m confident your thoughts will be valued and your participation welcomed in addressing this growing concern.

Jo Lynne DeMary was Superintendent of Public Instruction for Virginia. As an educator for more than 38 years, she has held positions at all levels. She lives in Chesterfield.