Va. Education Board Keeps 3rd-Grade History Tests

Virginia's Board of Education has given the state the green light to continue requiring third-graders to take history and social-science accountability tests.

The decision Thursday came about a week after state Superintendent of Public Instruction Patricia I. Wright withdrew a controversial proposal to scrap the exams. Wright reversed her position after heated criticism from history advocates and state legislators who said cutting the tests would allow elementary schools to devalue history and social-studies education.

The board approved a proposal that the state proceed with revising the test to reflect last year's updating of state history Standards of Learning. It also asked the Department of Education to include passages from social studies and other core SOL subjects, including science and mathematics, in upcoming standardized reading tests.