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website. Across -the state, pass rates for the new sixth and seventh grade SOL Math tests given in May 2006 were extremely low.
Rappahannock was no exception. In Rappahannock and across the state, many students who passed their fifth grade Math SOL with flying colors failed the sixth or seventh grade test.
Rappahannock Superintendent Bob Chappell felt the release of this data was possibly premature since State Superintendent Billy Cannaday Jr., had named a Task Force to examine problems with the sixth and seventh grade tests. In an article on September 6 issue of the Rappahannock News reported that Dr. Cannaday had sent superintendents an e-mail defending the results of the Grades 6 and 7 Math tests.
Superintendent Chappell and at least one other area superintendent did not receive the notification from the state on the date it was sent, August 3.
Chappell got a copy of Cannaday’s e-mail from a fellow superintendent on Sept. 10, five weeks after Cannaday sent the message.
In a letter to Cannaday, Chappell replied: “You indicated in your e-mail of August 3 that no problems were found with the tests. I respect you and your statement. However, I remain unconvinced that the sixth and seventh grade tests were fair and reasonable assessments of our students’ progress in Math.
“We will move forward and review available data to insure that our fine Math instruction at grades 6 and 7 is in line with the SOL.”
AYP
Superintendent Bob Chappell has contacted State Superintendent Billy Cannaday regarding his concerns about the grades 6 and 7 tests.
“We have not yet received the official State-calculated ‘Accreditation Pass Rates’ for our schools. Unfortunately, our own calculations indicate the pass rate for Math at RCES will likely fall below the 70 percent benchmark,” wrote Chappell.
“I believe our pass rate could have exceeded the State’s 70
89.9%