Does my child need an IEP or 504 plan to get SOL testing accommodations?

Generally, yes — accommodations must be documented in a student's IEP or 504 Plan and justified by their individual needs. The plan specifies whether a student takes the standard SOL test with no accommodations, the SOL test with accommodations, or an alternate assessment (VAAP).

What accommodations are available for SOL tests?

Common accommodations include extended time, use of a calculator on sections that don't normally allow one, text-to-speech for reading passages, and other supports — the specific list is documented in VDOE's Special Test Accommodations Resource Guide and must align with a student's daily classroom instruction.

Can accommodations be different from what a student uses in class?

No — testing accommodations are expected to align with and be part of a student's daily instruction, not introduced for the first time on test day.

SOL Testing Accommodations for IEP and 504 Students

Students with an IEP or 504 Plan aren't simply left to take the standard SOL test as-is — Virginia requires every student with a documented disability to be considered individually for how they participate in state testing.

The three participation options

For every student with an IEP or 504 Plan, the plan must specify one of three participation paths in Virginia's accountability system:

The standard SOL test, with no accommodations.
The standard SOL test, with documented accommodations.
The Virginia Alternate Assessment Program (VAAP), for students with the most significant cognitive disabilities.

Common accommodations

The specific accommodations available are laid out in VDOE's Special Test Accommodations Resource Guide, but commonly include:

Extended time to complete the test.
Use of a calculator on sections that normally restrict one.
Text-to-speech or read-aloud support for reading passages.
Other supports documented in the student's IEP or 504 Plan and consistent with their daily classroom instruction.

The key requirement across all of them: accommodations have to be justified and documented in the student's plan, and they should already be part of how that student learns day to day — not something introduced for the first time on test day.

Where to start

If your child has an IEP or 504 Plan, testing accommodations should already be part of that plan's annual review. If you're not sure what's documented, your school's case manager or testing coordinator can confirm exactly what your child is approved for before the next SOL testing window.