Newsroom

YCSD Surpasses State Averages in State Assessments

For Immediate Release
Contact: Katherine Goff, Public Relations and Communications Officer
kgoff@ycsd.york.va.us
(757) 898-0391

The Virginia Department of Education (VDOE) published annual state assessment results, accreditation ratings, chronic absenteeism data, On-Time Graduation rates, and other data from the 2022-23 school year on September 7. Overall, students in the York County School Division (YCSD) surpassed state averages in all five Standards of Learning (SOL) content areas by between 12 and 17 percentage points.

2022-23 SOL Pass Rates

Content pass rates in science and math improved from the previous year by two and one percentage points respectively, writing and history scores declined by three percentage points each, while reading scores remained consistent. There were pockets of achievement growth across student subgroups, including performance among black students improved by three percentage points in both writing and math. Additionally, grade 11 end-of-course writing scores improved by seven percentage points.

As with the state averages, division SOL results have not yet returned to pre-pandemic levels. Math and science results have steadily improved over the last three testing years and reading scores remain just one percentage point below 2018-19 levels.

“Although our overall scores are above the state average, the assessment results reaffirm the ongoing need to address the negative impact the pandemic has had on student learning, especially among our most at-risk students” said Candi Skinner, chief academic officer. “Our mission is to prepare every student for a successful future, with a priority placed on students acquiring the knowledge, skills, habits and traits necessary for success.”

All 19 YCSD schools are fully accredited for the 2023-24 school year. Accreditation ratings are based on multiple school quality indicators, including chronic absenteeism and On-Time Graduation rates (high schools only). Students who miss more than 18 days, or 10% of the school year, are considered chronically absent according to state law. Nearly 15% of all students in YCSD were considered chronically absent during the 2022-23 school year, an increase of nearly two percentage points from the previous school year. The division’s On Time Graduation rate is 98%, six percentage points above the state average.

“YCSD has always believed attending school regularly increases a child’s chances of success in school,” said Dr. Victor Shandor, division superintendent. “This morning, the state affirmed the need for a collective commitment towards improving student attendance. We look forward to engaging our families in ensuring students come to school ready to learn every day.”

Additional data from the 2022-23 school year is available on the VDOE website and on the department’s School Quality Profile reports. Division staff will present a report on the division and school data at the Monday, September 11, School Board work session.