Students in Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS) showed improvement on the Virginia Standards of Learning (SOL) mathematics tests with higher pass rates for all subgroups during the 2009-10 school year compared with 2008-09, while English/Reading pass rates remained relatively constant (tables 1 and 2). In mathematics, the Black-White achievement gap and the Hispanic-White achievement gap decreased three percentage points this year (table 2). Approximately 50 percent of all reading and mathematics tests received a score of “pass advanced.” Based on the SOL scores, the school division made adequate yearly progress (AYP) under the No Child Left Behind (NCLB) Act this year. FCPS Superintendent Jack D. Dale states, “These upward trends of improvement and narrowing of achievement gaps reflect FCPS’ focus on the individual child. Collaborative work by our excellent teachers and other educators, including design of lessons that ensure that each child is challenged to his or her full potential, has been paying off over the past few years.” (Rest of story)