SOL policy gives students a break

Allie Daugherty
Co-photo Editor

     May is usually the time when students begin to look forward to summer vacation, lounging at the beach, and going out for ice cream at Ben & Jerry’s. Now, there’s something else for students to look forward to: SOL tests. If something sounds ironic about this statement, it is because there is an SOL schedule change set in place for the May 2008 SOL week that will be beneficial to many students.

    During the school days of May 19, 20, and 21, York County will adopt a “staggered schedule” for testing. There will be four testing blocks throughout the morning and afternoon. Buses will be run at the regular morning and afternoon times as well as at midday. Letters will be sent home to each student informing them of their test schedule for those three days. For example, a student could have a World History I test in the morning on Monday, May 19, but not have a Geometry SOL until the afternoon on Wednesday, May 21. When students have finished with their assigned testing block and have finished their tests for a particular day, they may leave, either by bus or by a ride from a parent. Principal Dr. Stephanie Guy said that the school may let juniors drive to school during those days, since many senior parking spots will be available.

   For students who have to wait for their bus or ride after their test, the administration is working on having areas where these students can go. Activities in the gym, auditorium, and a study area are all in the works.

   This new policy is particularly beneficial to seniors and to those not in SOL classes. “If you’re not in any SOL based classes, you actually wouldn’t be coming to school [on those days],” said Guy. Seniors are excited about this prospect. Kelsie Crittendon, a senior who has attended Grafton all four years of high school, says that many SOL days are filled with hours of a seemingly endless first or second period. “I think [the new schedule] is great because otherwise you sit in class and do nothing,” said Crittendon.

  Why the change? According to Guy, Kelsie’s comment is right on target: a great deal of instructional time was wasted by only having groups of students, like sophomores or juniors, take a test. Senior Julianne Dunn agrees. “I feel that a lot of valuable instructional time is wasted when seniors sit in class while other grades take their SOLs,” said Dunn. Dr. Guy also said that many classes could not even properly carry on instruction. “We had to literally use every computer in the school [for online tests] and we had to kick teachers who taught computer based classes out of their classrooms,” said Guy.