Page last updated September 2022

SOL Testing

Absent Students

Students who are absent from their SOL due to illness or family emergency will be rescheduled to test as soon as time and space permits. Students should return to Herndon prepared to take their missed SOL tests.

Expedited Retake Eligibility

Senior (Term Graduates) – Seniors are automatically eligible for an expedited retake regardless of non-passing score and may have a 3rd attempt if passing the test is necessary for graduation or for a particular diploma. Students must attend remediation sessions with their teacher before completing a third attempt. Third attempts must be approved by the Office of Assessment and Reporting.

Underclass Students – Underclass students may be eligible for an expedited retake with a score of 350 and above. Students must attend remediation sessions with their teacher before completing an expedited retake.

Test Completion

Students may have as much time as they need to complete a SOL test as long as they are actively working on the test. All tests must be completed within the school day.

Cell Phone & Electronic Device Policy

Students are not permitted to have cell phones or electronic devices in their possession during testing and should make arrangements to secure them appropriately before testing. Students who are found with an electronic device, even if turned off, during testing or whose device makes noise during testing will not be permitted to finish testing and will not receive a score.

SOL Reminders for Students

• Students should get a good night's sleep and eat breakfast/lunch before the test.
• Students should not bring backpacks or electronic devices (including cell phones) into the testing room.
• Students should bring pencils and a picture ID to the test. Calculators will be provided.

WIDA Testing

What is WIDA Testing?

Current federal legislation requires that all English learners (ELs) participate annually in an English language proficiency assessment.  In the state of Virginia, all divisions use the WIDA Assessing Comprehension and Communication in English State to State for English Language Learners^®2.0 (ACCESS for ELLs^® 2.0) to monitor students' progress in acquiring academic English.  ACCESS for ELLs^® 2.0 is administered annually to all kindergarten ELs and all students in grades 1-12 with an English language proficiency (ELP) level of 1-5. 

ACCESS for ELLs^® 2.0 is aligned with the WIDA English language development standards and assesses the four language domains of listening, speaking, reading, and writing.  The assessment will:

• Determine students’ English language proficiency level and eligibility for English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) services and testing accommodations.
• Help students and families understand students’ current level of ELP along the developmental continuum.
• Provide teachers with information they can use to plan for and support student learning.
• Assist in determining whether ELs have attained the language proficiency needed to participate meaningfully in content area classrooms without ESOL support.

Students participate annually in the ACCESS for ELLs® 2.0, even if ESOL services are declined, until they reach the criteria for ELP level 6 and are designated English proficient.

This year, the ACCESS for ELLs® 2.0, the Alternate ACCESS for ELLs®, or the ELP Checklists will be given in our school from Monday, February 6, 2023, to Thursday, March 2, 2023. Students will receive their testing schedule via E-Mail during the week of January 23, 2023. It will be helpful if you can avoid appointments which may take your child out of school during this time.  Also, it will help your child perform his or her best if he or she has had a good night’s rest, a healthy breakfast, and comes to school with a positive attitude. If you have any questions or concerns, you can contact Dr. Karl Gussow, our Assessment Coach.

Additional information can be found on the FCPS ELP Assessment Parent Notification - WIDA and WIDA Screener page.

PSAT

PSAT Date

Tenth and eleventh graders will be completing the PSAT/NMSQT on Wednesday, October 12, 2022 at Herndon High School. They will receive additional information through their school email (@fcpsschools.net) in early October. An online student guide is available to review before the exam date. Test scores will be available in early December 2022.

SAT School Day

The SAT School Day will be held at Herndon High School on Wednesday, October 12, 2022 for 12^th graders. Students were required to register for the exam by September 7, 2022. Registered students will receive additional information through their school email (@fcpsschools.net) in early October. An online student guide is available to review before the exam date. Test scores will be available in early November 2022.

Advanced Placement (AP) Exams

AP Exam Questions

Shannon Kamenick Counselor/AP Testing Coordinator 703-810-2424