1. Q & A

2. SOL Institutes October 2013 Assessment NEWS Instruct students to read all text on a test page

3. SOL Institutes October 2013 2010 English Standards of Learning Web Page 2010 English Standards of Learning Web Page

4. SOL Institutes October 2013 Writing Questions Will the writing prompts change this year?Will the writing prompts change this year? The released prompts will still be used in 2013- 2014. Additional prompts will be released for EOC sometime this fall. Other prompts may be released as they become available.The released prompts will still be used in 2013- 2014. Additional prompts will be released for EOC sometime this fall. Other prompts may be released as they become available. Will students be penalized if they don’t write 5 paragraphs? Will students be penalized if they don’t write 5 paragraphs? Direct writing must be multi-paragraphed... No specific number is required.Direct writing must be multi-paragraphed... No specific number is required. Is there a specific mode for SOL writing?Is there a specific mode for SOL writing? Yes, Grade 5: Expository or narrative; Grade 8: Expository or persuasive; EOC: PersuasiveYes, Grade 5: Expository or narrative; Grade 8: Expository or persuasive; EOC: Persuasive

5. SOL Institutes October 2013 Writing Questions Does DOE require a separate paragraph for counterclaims?Does DOE require a separate paragraph for counterclaims? No, there is not a required template/formulaNo, there is not a required template/formula Will an online dictionary be provided? The spell check tool does not do everything a dictionary does.Will an online dictionary be provided? The spell check tool does not do everything a dictionary does. At this point, there is not a plan to provide an online dictionary or to change the online writing tool.At this point, there is not a plan to provide an online dictionary or to change the online writing tool. Exactly how is the writing score calculated?Exactly how is the writing score calculated? See blueprint slideSee blueprint slide

6. SOL Institutes October 2013 SOL Writing Blueprints

7. SOL Institutes October 2013 Writing Questions Why can’t students have a choice of prompts?Why can’t students have a choice of prompts? Research shows that providing a choice is more confusing to students. Younger students have more difficulty when given a choice. Research shows that providing a choice is more confusing to students. Younger students have more difficulty when given a choice. Can students used 1 st person point of view to answer promptsCan students used 1 st person point of view to answer prompts YesYes

8. SOL Institutes October 2013 Writing Questions Are there effective artificial intelligence computer grading programs for writing?Are there effective artificial intelligence computer grading programs for writing? There is not a program that is aligned with the two-domain 4 point scoring of Virginia’s rubric.There is not a program that is aligned with the two-domain 4 point scoring of Virginia’s rubric. What are some ways to integrate mathematics and writing in the primary grades?What are some ways to integrate mathematics and writing in the primary grades? Mentor texts, is one exampleMentor texts, is one example If not 5 paragraphs, then what is the suggested structure for SOL writing?If not 5 paragraphs, then what is the suggested structure for SOL writing? Must be multi-paragraphed with a definite introduction, body, and conclusion.Must be multi-paragraphed with a definite introduction, body, and conclusion.

9. SOL Institutes October 2013 Writing Questions Can prompts be tied to a literature passage? No, the prompts are written to offer wide engagement and not be tied to a student understanding a reading passage. The direct writing is not scored for accuracy of content. Should paragraphs be double spaced? Indented? Limited amount of space. Either way will work, as long as scorers can determine multi- paragraphs. 52 lines of text available.

10. SOL Institutes October 2013 Understand Scoring To Create an Account, use key word- Virginia

11. SOL Institutes October 2013 Understand Scoring Practice sets and verification sets now available

12. SOL Institutes October 2013 Paired Passages Pair fiction & nonfiction passages Tabbed passage demonstration on Sample SOL Item page Grade 8 Assessment Sample

13. SOL Institutes October 2013 Reading Questions Will paired passages appear on reading 3-5 this year?Will paired passages appear on reading 3-5 this year? No. Paired passages are on EOC & 6-8. Is there any fiction on EOC reading?Is there any fiction on EOC reading? See blueprint slide

14. SOL Institutes October 2013 4-12 Reading Blueprints

15. SOL Institutes October 2013 Reading Questions Is there a list of affixes, Greek & Latin roots to be tested?Is there a list of affixes, Greek & Latin roots to be tested? Best place to find a list is www.readwritethink.org See Enhanced Scope and Sequence Lesson Plans www.readwritethink.org Will English provide Word Wall cards like math did?Will English provide Word Wall cards like math did?No

16. SOL Institutes October 2013 General Questions When will tests be released?When will tests be released?2015 Will TEI questions have fill-in-the-blank?Will TEI questions have fill-in-the-blank? Not this year. No plans yet for future Can partial credit be given for TEI?Can partial credit be given for TEI?No What percentage of the test is TEI? 15% How are practice items/tests scored? They aren’t scored. Answers are the last pages of the manual.

17. SOL Institutes October 2013 General Questions Are the passages longer now?Are the passages longer now? There are more passages now. Some are shorter, some are longer. Increased rigor. Is Media Literacy tested?Is Media Literacy tested?NO Will the state provide funding for all divisions to issue laptops for students?Will the state provide funding for all divisions to issue laptops for students?NO

18. SOL Institutes October 2013 General Questions Where can we access TEI-type activities?Where can we access TEI-type activities? Available “apps” for tablets, Text boxes in MS WORD. When will new practice questions be released?When will new practice questions be released? EOC Reading and SOL Writing practice items are now available. Grades 3-8 Reading will be released this winter.EOC Reading and SOL Writing practice items are now available. Grades 3-8 Reading will be released this winter. Will the Enhanced Scope & Sequence be expanded?Will the Enhanced Scope & Sequence be expanded? No, additional resource links are provided on VDOE Web site (e.g., ReadWriteThink.org)No, additional resource links are provided on VDOE Web site (e.g., ReadWriteThink.org)

19. SOL Institutes October 2013 Contact Information Virginia Department of Education Tracy Fair Robertson English Coordinator Tracy.Robertson@doe.virginia.gov 804-371-7585 Thomas Santangelo Elementary Reading and English Thomas.Santangelo@doe.virginia.gov 804-225-3203 Jackie Kelley English Specialist Jacquelyn.Kelley@doe.virginia.gov 804-786-2484 Assessment Office Student_assessment@doe.virginia.gov 804-225-2102

20. SOL Institutes October 2013 VDOE Contact Information For Questions about:Please Contact: Secondary English Instruction Tracy Robertson, 804-371-7585, tracy.robertson@doe.virginia.gov Elementary English & Reading Instruction Thomas Santangelo, 804-225-3203, thomas.santangelo@doe.virginia.gov Special Education Instruction Special Education & Student Services Office, spedinstruction@doe.virginia.gov spedinstruction@doe.virginia.gov SOL Testing ProgramOffice of Assessment Development, 804-225- 2102 student_assessment@doe.virginia.gov Accreditation Status, Focus and Priority Schools Office of School Improvement, 804-225-2865