Opinion: SOLs Limit Teachers’ Creativity

Posted by admin at 11:04 am 0 Comment Print

By Grace-Anna Chaney-Terrier Times Staff-VINTON, Va. -

Personally, I believe SOLs are not a measure of one’s intelligence, but rather how well they have retained the knowledge introduced to them throughout the year.

The Virginia Standards of Learning, commonly known as the SOLs, are given annually at collective schools across the nation.

The SOLs test students on their knowledge in English, Mathematics, Science, and History.

These tests are given at the conclusion of the school year.

The whole year leading up the SOLs serves as preparation. There are minimum standards that teachers as suppose to teach and students are to retain that knowledge in order to pass.

Basing my opinion off the undeniable fact that not all students strive to excel in school and fulfill their true potential, one cannot condemn a student or teacher for the failure of an SOL, but rather the lack responsibility to obtain the knowledge given.

Also, I believe that SOLs consequently serve as limitations for teachers to really expand on the material of a subject and veer out of the realm of mandated material and procedures.

Yes, one needs to learn fundamental material to expand upon it, but one should not be limited and students should not be condemned for their lack of knowledge, but rather their lack of effort and application in their classes.

Academics Opinion