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► SOLS
Association, many school systems are upset by the new SOLs because much is required by the state without specif' ic funding support.
“The SOL framework is set....Systems are working furiously to change die way they teach and come up with the required equipment. We as teachers need to work in a positive way to meet these goals,” she said.
Changes in state requirements generally mean that the school curriculum must change as well, and this can often mean new textbooks. Most schools rotate in new textbooks on a six-year cycle. If new books are required, an expensive new purchase must be made. Mrs. Tupper said that, in fact, new social studies books had to be bought to meet the new civics course requirements for seventh grade.
“We are really happy with our math curriculum, but the new social studies requirements are a little tougher. We don’t have all the resources at all grade levels yet. Something which works for sixth graders studying ancient civilizations won’t work for third graders .... We are working with Mrs. Massie [elementary school librarian] and doing the best we can. Our teachers are really gung-ho to get this accomplished.”
In order to write up lesson plans within the new framework, teachers are having to spend summer days in class themselves. Teachers must be retrained without additional state aid. Systems already stressed by lack of funding, such as Rappahannock, will feel the biggest pinch.
Fortunately, Rappahannock already meets most of the new technology requirements. Mrs. Tupper states, “One area Rapp won’t hav$ a lot of trouble with is technology. We’re in good shape there. Some other systems will have real difficulty because this is a particularly tough area to met due to the expense of computers and software.”
The testing required with the new SOLs has stirred up controversy. There are many who feel instructors will feel pressured to “teach to the test” so that students will perform well on evaluations. When asked about this at a First Thursday parents’ group meeting in June, Ms. Mutterer
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