Virginia Standards of Learning (SOL)

Virginia, United States

The Standards of Learning (SOL) for Virginia Public Schools establish minimum expectations for what students should know and be able to do at the end of each grade or course in core subjects. The standards are designed to ensure all students are prepared for postsecondary education and the modern workforce.

Virginia Standards of Learning

The Standards of Learning (SOL) for Virginia Public Schools establish minimum expectations for what students should know and be able to do at the end of each grade or course in core subjects. The standards are designed to ensure all students are prepared for postsecondary education and the modern workforce.

Governing Body: Virginia Department of Education (VDOE)

Year Adopted: Various (English: 2024, Math: 2023, Science: 2018/2025, History: 2023)

Grade Levels Covered

Kindergarten, Grade 1, Grade 2, Grade 3, Grade 4, Grade 5, Grade 6, Grade 7, Grade 8, Grade 9, Grade 10, Grade 11, Grade 12

English Language Arts

Kindergarten

K.FFR.1 Foundations for Reading

The student will apply knowledge of how print is organized and read.

Key skills: Identify front/back cover, Follow words left to right, Recognize letters and spaces

Grade 3

3.DSR.1 Developing Skilled Readers

The student will build knowledge and comprehension skills from reading and listening to a range of challenging, content-rich texts.

Key skills: Use context clues, Summarize plot, Identify main idea, Compare characters

Grade 8

8.RV.1 Reading and Vocabulary

The student will systematically build vocabulary and word knowledge based on grade-eight content and texts.

Key skills: Greek and Latin roots, Analogies, Connotations and denotations
8.W.1 Writing

The student will write in a variety of forms with an emphasis on expository and persuasive writing.

Key skills: Thesis statements, Evidence-based claims, Counterclaims, MLA/APA citations

Mathematics

Kindergarten

K.NS.1 Number and Number Sense

The student will utilize flexible counting strategies to determine and describe quantities up to 100.

Key skills: Count to 100 by ones and tens, Identify one more/one less, Count backwards from 20

Grade 5

5.CE.1 Computation and Estimation

The student will solve problems, including those in context, involving addition and subtraction with fractions and mixed numbers.

Key skills: Find common denominators, Simplify fractions, Estimate sums/differences
5.PFA.1 Patterns, Functions, and Algebra

The student will identify, describe, create, and extend numerical patterns.

Key skills: Geometric patterns, Input-output tables, Relational thinking

Algebra I

A.EO.1 Expressions and Operations

The student will simplify and evaluate algebraic expressions.

Key skills: Square roots, Cube roots, Polynomial arithmetic, Factoring

Science

Grade 1

1.1 Scientific and Engineering Practices

The student will demonstrate an understanding of scientific and engineering practices by asking questions and defining problems.

Key skills: Make observations, Use simple tools, Classify objects
1.2 Force, Motion, and Energy

The student will investigate and understand that objects can move in different ways.

Key skills: Push/pull forces, Vibration and sound, Speed and direction

Grade 4

4.2 Force, Motion, and Energy

The student will investigate and understand that energy is needed to do work and that energy can be transformed.

Key skills: Kinetic and potential energy, Electrical circuits, Magnetism
4.8 Earth Resources

The student will investigate and understand that Virginia has important natural resources.

Key skills: Watersheds, Mineral resources, Forests and wildlife

Biology

BIO.2 Life Processes

The student will investigate and understand the chemical and biochemical principles of life.

Key skills: Water chemistry, Macromolecules, Enzyme function

History and Social Science

Grade 4

VS.2 Virginia Studies

The student will apply history and social science skills to describe the Indigenous nations of Virginia past and present.

Key skills: Archaeological artifacts, Language groups, Tribal sovereignty

Grade 7

CE.1 Civics and Economics

The student will apply history and social science skills to understand the foundations of American constitutional government.

Key skills: Declaration of Independence, US Constitution, Bill of Rights, Citizenship duties

Virginia & US History

VUS.7 History

The student will apply history and social science skills to analyze the Civil War and Reconstruction era.

Key skills: Causes of secession, Major battles, Emancipation Proclamation, Constitutional amendments

Implementation Notes

The 2023 Mathematics and 2024 English standards are currently in a transition phase, with full instructional implementation beginning in the 2024-2025 school year. History standards (2023) follow a similar rollout with full implementation by 2025-2026. Science standards from 2018 remain the core for K-12, with 2025 updates primarily expanding high school electives.

Assessment

Student achievement is assessed through the Standards of Learning (SOL) testing program. Most tests are Computer Adaptive Tests (CAT). Grades 3-8 participate in Reading and Mathematics Growth Assessments in the Fall and Winter, followed by the end-of-year SOL tests in Spring. High school students take End-of-Course (EOC) tests to earn verified credits for graduation.

About This Standard
Added:
January 13, 2026

This standard was generated using AI with grounded search to find official, accurate information. While we strive for accuracy, please verify important details with official sources.

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