FRANKLIN—The Virginia Department of Education released its 2012-2013 Standards of Learning test scores today, Aug. 20. Isle of Wight County Schools fared near or better than the state average in many categories, while Franklin and Southampton County schools were below the state average in many categories.

Around Virginia, on average, scores on the math tests rose, whereas the scores had dropped dramatically the previous year after more rigorous tests were released.

In Isle of Wight County, scores on average in the math category did rise from the previous year, and with the exception of algebra II scores, Isle of Wight schools are near or above the state average. Grades 4, 5 and 8 mathematics were 6 points or higher than the state average.

Franklin schools improved in mathematics for grades 3, 6 and 7, and in algebra I and II, but all of the scores are still well below the state average, some of them dramatically so, including end of course geometry and grade 4 mathematics, which are more than 35 points below the state average.

Southampton schools improved in mathematics for grades 3 and 4, and in algebra I and geometry from last year. The scores are below the state average in every category except grade 8 mathematics and algebra I.

Reading and science tests were expected to fall around the state, as this year a more rigorous test in these categories were introduced. The state is expecting these scores to rise next year.

In Isle of Wight schools, as expected, reading scores did decline, but they are up compared to the state category in all but end of course English reading, which is 1 point below the state average. Grades 7 and 8 reading are 7 points or higher than the state average.

Franklin schools did fall from the previous year, and the district is also well below the state average, with grades 4, 5, 6 and 7 being more than 20 points below the state average.

Southampton schools also fell from the previous year, as expected, and grades 7 and 8 are at or above the state average. Grades 3, 4 and 6 are 5 or more points worse than the state average.

Isle of Wight schools dropped from the previous year, but the district is above the state average in all categories except end of course biology, which is 3 points below the average. Grades 3, 5 and 8 science were all 7 points or higher than the state average.

Franklin schools dropped in all science categories except for end of course chemistry, which rose from the previous year. Chemistry is also 7 points higher than the state average. Grades 3, 5 and 8, and end of course earth science were 15 points or more below the state average.

Science scores for Southampton County schools also dropped from the previous year, as expected. Earth science and grade 8 science were at the state average, with grade 3 science and chemistry being 8 or more points below the state average.