2026 Spring SOL Testing at Westlawn: Info for Families

The end of the school year brings many annual events back to Westlawn such as school concerts and musicals, field day, and sixth grade promotion. It also brings a battery of spring testing, including spring SOLs. While most students in grades 4-6 are familiar with SOL tests, students in 3rd grade and students new to Westlawn this year from outside of Virginia are experiencing them for the first time. Our goal with this guide is to help families understand what to expect and give families the tools they need to help students successfully navigate testing season.  Note: this guide has been updated to reflect the 2026 SOL season.

What are the dates for the Spring 2026 SOLs?

• March 24: 5th Grade Writing
• April 28: 5th Grade Reading
• May 5: 5th Grade Science and 3rd, 4th, and 6th Grade Reading
• May 12: 3rd, 4th, 5th, and 6th Grade Math (including Algebra 1)
• May 18-29: Preparation for retakes
• June 1-3: SOL Retakes

We appreciate families scheduling doctor appointments, family trips, and other foreseeable activities around these dates! The dates for each test have been added to  the school calendar . You can  subscribe to the calendar .

What are the logistics of the SOL?

• Classroom teachers administer the SOLs in their classrooms, with the support of other Westlawn staff, such as coaches, interventionists, and administrators.
• SOL tests are not timed. Most students take between 1-2 hours to complete their test, and they will be provided with more time if needed. Students may take bathroom or water breaks during the test at their own request. If students are still testing at their lunch time, the test will be paused to provide them with time to eat.
• SOL tests are entirely in English, including test directions. Teachers of multilingual learners who will be testing for the first time ensure that all students understand the testing process and the expectations for testing prior to launching the assessments.
• There is no calculator on the 3rd grade math SOL, but it becomes available starting with the 4th grade math SOL. There is a calculator available on the 5th grade science SOL as well.
• Generally speaking, students stay in the testing room until everyone has finished testing. When they complete their SOL test, they are required to shut down their laptop. Classroom teachers are responsible for maintaining the testing environment and will have quiet, independent activities ready for students as they finish. These activities might include coloring or reading a book to self. If a situation arises where one student is still testing when everyone else has finished, and that remaining student has a significant amount of questions left, then the school testing coordinators will often move that student into a secondary testing location to allow them to work at their preferred pace without feeling pressure to rush through the last portion of the exam.

How does Westlawn prepare all students to take the SOL?

• Westlawn prepares all students to take the SOL by providing solid instruction to every student every day. Studies have shown that high-quality instruction  and access to high quality instructional materials , used daily, are the best preparation for standardized testing.
• Grade level teachers will access practice tests with their students depending on student need. For example, third grade teachers will spend time exploring the practice test with all students because it is the first time they will take the exam. The Virginia Department of Education provides practice tests for each grade level and even a “mathematics sandbox” where students can practice using the electronic tools available on the math exam in an online test environment without actual questions.
• Teachers will provide traditional “test prep” as part of their usual instruction in the days and weeks leading up to the SOLs. The test prep selected and presented by teachers is designed to enhance the usual classroom instruction, not supplant or replace the FCPS Program of Studies. For example, teachers might review math vocabulary words known to appear on the SOL test as part of their planned mathematics lesson for the day.

What happens if a student has accommodations?

• Some students have accommodations for various reasons, such as being a multilingual learner or having an IEP or a 504 Plan. Accommodations might include online audio, a handheld calculator, visual aids, or the use of a Spanish/English dictionary.
• School testing coordinators work with teachers to ensure that a student’s usual testing accommodations transfer to the SOL.
• Classroom teachers ensure that students have access to accommodations for assessments throughout the year so that they develop the skills to use the accommodations appropriately. For example, a student who is allowed to use a handheld calculator on the SOL has also been allowed to use a handheld calculator on other math assessments throughout the year.
• Westlawn staff also works with students who have accommodations to teach them how to use the tools successfully as part of the instructional program. For example, they might work with students to teach them how to locate words in a Spanish/English dictionary and record the translation onto scrap paper.

What happens if there are interruptions?

• We try our best to ensure an interruption-free environment by not planning additional schoolwide activities (such as fire drills) on testing days.
• Interruptions usually happen only due to sudden illness. When this occurs, we try to remove the sick student quickly and quietly from the testing area. If that student recovers, then they can finish their test that day. If they are unable to finish, then the school testing coordinators file it as an irregularity and the student is permitted to start it again on a different day when they are feeling better.
• If there is an interruption that affects a student taking the test, then the school testing coordinators will address it in accordance with guidance issued by the Office of Assessment and Reporting and communicate with the families of the affected students.
• Please note that students are not allowed to wear smart watches during the test as a precaution to prevent interruptions. Students will be asked to put smart watches into their backpacks during testing. You might also consider having your child keep their smart watch at home on testing days.

What if my child misses the test?

• Makeup tests will be offered on a rolling basis as students return to school after an absence on test day.

What if my child does not pass the test? Can they retake it?

• Due to a recent change in the way schools are measured, many Westlawn students have the opportunity to take a retake assessment. Now, instead of a pass/fail system, student test scores are measured in bands. Students may qualify for a retake for several reasons, including that they are close to moving from one band into a higher band.
• For students who qualify for a retake, the Westlawn team provides intensive support in areas of need to help students improve their score on their second attempt. Families are encouraged to provide consent for their child to retake the assessment and can do so via the  Parent Digital Consent portal . Access to the portal requires you to have a SIS ParentVUE username and password, and  step-by-step directions on using the portal are available . Please call our main office at  703-241-5100 to schedule a meeting with a parent liaison if you need to open a SIS ParentVUE account.
• Retakes are especially important for sixth grade students because SOL scores may have a role in the classes that students are eligible to take in middle school.
• In general, the retake system is designed to maximize a student’s opportunity to show mastery of the subject area with the overall goal of setting students up for success when they take SOL courses tied to high school credit. As students advance into these courses, more information will be shared about verified vs. unverified credits and the requirements for a high school diploma.
• Algebra 1: the retake process is the same for Algebra 1 like it is for all other SOL tests. Students who pass both the Algebra 1 exam and the Algebra 1 course will receive one verified high school credit. If families want students to repeat the Algebra 1 course next year, both the SOL score and the grade will be vacated. Contact Ms. Dushok and Mrs. Maxwell with any questions about this process.

When will students and families receive test scores?

• Families will receive a customized score report in ParentVUE 2-4 weeks after the close of the testing window. Please call our main office at  703-241-5100 to schedule a meeting with a parent liaison if you need to open a SIS ParentVUE account.
• Families without a SIS ParentVUE account will receive a copy of the score report via mail after reports become available in SIS ParentVUE.
• More details about test scores, score reports, and other test-related information is available on FCPS’  SOL Test Results webpage .

How can families support children during SOL testing?

Before the Test

• Attend School Every Day: Regular school attendance decreases test anxiety and prepares students for the assessments.
• Sleep Well: Make sure your child gets a good night’s sleep before each test day.
• Healthy Breakfast: Provide a nutritious breakfast with protein and whole grains.
• Be Positive: Encourage your child with kind words like “Do your best” or “You’ve got this!”
• Stay Calm: Avoid adding pressure. Remind them it’s okay to just try their best.

During the Testing Week

• Come to School: When students are able to take the assessment with their peers and a familiar adult, performance is not impacted.
• Keep a Routine: Help your child arrive at school on time and with everything they need.
• Limit Screen Time: Encourage quiet time in the evenings to help them relax.
• Talk About It: Ask how the test went and listen with patience and encouragement. Remember that students are cautioned against sharing details about the test with anyone, even after they have finished it! If your child is reluctant to share how it went, be understanding.

After the Test

• Celebrate Effort: Show pride in their hard work, no matter the outcome.
• Have Fun: Do something relaxing or fun together after the test is over.

Who do I contact with questions?

• Your child’s teacher is the best person to contact with questions about your child’s SOL experience. If needed, they will refer your question to another Westlawn staff member to ensure that you receive accurate information.
• For logistical questions about the assessments, please contact our school’s test coordinators,  Stephanie Carpenter and  Erin Theiss .