Craig County Schools reopen after septic repair; superintendent outlines phased response to SOL cut-score changes

Craig County Superintendent Dr. Jason Wheeler told the Board of Supervisors on Nov. 6 that schools reopened after a septic-system repair and that the division is responding to recent state changes to minimum passing scores on Standards of Learning (SOL) tests.

"They are mitigating those changes working with the Board of Education. They will announce a timeline for 4-to-5-year implementation," Dr. Wheeler said, describing a phased approach meant to ease the transition for students and staff.

Wheeler said the decline in certain achievement measures predates the COVID-19 pandemic but that the pandemic exacerbated the trend. He highlighted local progress in reading: investments and early-childhood literacy programming have produced gains, but students who struggle with reading remain disadvantaged across subject areas. The superintendent said the division is coordinating with the Southwest Virginia consortium and neighboring divisions to share strategies and supports.

Why it matters: Changes in state assessment cut scores can affect promotion, remediation, curriculum priorities and resource allocation at the local level. A multi-year phase-in is intended to give teachers, students and families time to adjust.

Next steps: The division will publish a detailed timeline and implementation plan; supervisors asked clarifying questions about the magnitude of score changes and supports for students who are behind.