SOL scores show gap between white students, students of color in Virginia

RICHMOND, Va. (WRIC) — Recently-released Standards of Learning test scores show Black and Hispanic students scored lower than their white peers in every subject, including reading and math.

2023-24 Standards of Learning Pass Rates

Dr. Andrene Jones-Castro, Associate Professor at Virginia Commonwealth University’s (VCU) Department of Education Leadership, says part of the problem is schools in lower-income areas tend to get less funding.

“If you are living in a neighborhood where home prices are higher, there are greater resources, the school within that neighborhood will likely benefit from tax dollars,” Jones-Castro told 8News.

Plus, she says many socioeconomic factors like a lack of access to affordable housing and healthy foods could disproportionately affect students of color.

“Children who are thinking about their basic needs being met are going to have a hard time focusing on their academic work,” said Jones-Castro.

Jones–Castro said school segregation in Virginia is also leading to racial disparities in the classroom.

“Segregated schools unfortunately have higher levels of organization instability, where you might see leaders come and go often, and that is an important factor shaping the retention of teachers,” Jones-Castro said.

To put a dent in the achievement gap, Jones-Castro says more investments need to be made in struggling school districts. She adds there needs to be a renewed effort to focus on every aspect of a student’s life.

“Appropriate mental health counselors, therapists [and] social workers [are needed] to kind of address those other needs,” Jones-Castro told 8News.

The Virginia Department of Education also found that students with disabilities and economically disadvantaged students also scored below the state average.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WRIC ABC 8News.