Background: As a result of HB 930, three social studies SOL tests (Grade 3: History, Grade6: United States History to 1865, and Grade 7: United States History: 1865 to Present) have been replaced with district developed alternative assessments. This change was made effective for the 2014-2015 school year. For more information on the changes, please view the VDOE Local Guideline for Alternative Assessment.
APS Alternative Assessment: The following APS alternative assessments were developed by district Social Studies teachers utilizing the Curriculum Framework as adapted from the VDOE. These alternative assessments, also known as performance assessment tasks (PATs), are an end of unit evaluation of a student’s ability to demonstrate their deeper understanding of a given “concept” or “big idea” from the unit and apply higher order thinking skills. Teachers administer the PATs at the start, middle (for grades 6 and 7), and end of the year to measure student growth in content knowledge and skill sets as outlined in the trait specific rubric form.
Grade 3 Alternative Assessments
- Alternative Assessment Overview
- Certification of Alternate Assessment
Teachers must report the date they administered the assessments. This Certification Form does not require any student data entry, only information about which assessment was administered and when it was given. Teachers may report at any point during the quarter. - Unit II – Maps and Geography Skills
- Unit III – Economics
- Unit IV – Government
Grade 6 Alternative Assessments
- Alternative Assessment Overview
- Certification of Alternate Assessment
Teachers must report the date they administered the assessments. This Certification Form does not require any student data entry, only information about which assessment was administered and when it was given. Teachers may report at any point during the quarter. - Unit II – The Thirteen Colonies
- Unit III – Revolutionary War
- Unit VIII – Westward Expansion
- Unit IX: Abolition
Grade 7 Alternative Assessments
- Alternative Assessment Overview
- Certification of Alternate Assessment
Teachers must report the date they administered the assessments. This Certification Form does not require any student data entry, only information about which assessment was administered and when it was given. Teachers may report at any point during the quarter. - Unit II – Reconstruction: Extending Citizenship to Freedmen
- Unit V – Civil Rights Movement: Citizens Work for Justice
- Unit VI – Rise of Big Business & Govt. Expanding Role
- Unit VIII – Boom to Bust : The Role of Govt. Expands