The Virginia Department of Education has released strategies on how math teachers can best prepare students to finish their SOL tests within the allotted testing time period.

In response to concerns from school divisions about the amount of time it took some students to complete the new math SOL tests last year, the VDOE surveyed teachers and other educators from 16 relatively high-scoring divisions that also have a vast majority of students complete their tests within the mandatory time frame.

Survey participants were asked to identify reasons most of their students were able to complete their tests successfully within the above time frames. Teachers cited the following as critical in preparing students for success on the new mathematics tests:

• Incorporating multistep problem solving in lessons throughout the year;
• Increasing the rigor of classroom instruction and assignments, including quizzes and tests;
• Collaborating with other teachers to create common unit assessments; and
• Analyzing classroom assessment data to identify students in need of remediation.

Educators also emphasized the importance of making sure that teachers were aware of — and able to locate — instructional resources and practice test items on the VDOE website. Respondents also stressed professional development for teachers focused on the 2009 mathematics standards as a critical factor supporting student success on the new tests.

A summary of the survey results and instructional strategies for minimizing testing times was shared with school divisions late last month and posted on the VDOE website.