The purpose of VSAP is to provide an indication of how the academic achievement of Virginia's students compares to that of a nationally representative sample of students in the same grades.
Test scores reflect students' learning both in school and outside of school.
Test performance is only one indicator of instructional quality. It can help to point out possible strengths and weaknesses in instructional programs. In summary, what good standardized tests assess, they assess well, but what they are able to assess is limited. Direct comparisons with percentile scores from the Spring 1997 administration of the Stanford 9 are not possible, since this year's testing was conducted in the Fall, and the scores in the previous administration were derived in reference to a different norm group. An analysis of this year's Stanford 9 results indicates that even with continuing growth and increasing diversity in our student population, test scores at the county level remain above average in all areas.