ADRIENNE HOAR McGIBBON: Virginia's most recent standards of learning scores show some improvement after post-pandemic learning loss.

But, state leaders say more can be done.

The governor and state school superintendent released results of the annual standardized tests for elementary through high school students Tuesday.

GLENN YOUNGKIN: A ship that was off course has been turned around and that we are seeing progress.

But we will also say today that we have a long way to go.

ADRIENNE HOAR McGIBBON: Last spring's SOL scores showed 75% of school divisions had improvements in math and 70% had improvements in reading in third through eighth grades.

But high school students saw a 1% decrease in reading scores over last school year.

The administration credits the overall boost in scores to its ALL In Virginia plan, which officially began in January, as a response to drops in reading and math scores in 2023.

GLENN YOUNGKIN: That 60% of our third through eighth graders were either failing or at risk of failing their reading SOLs.

And nearly two thirds of our third through eighth graders were failing or at risk of failing their math SOLs.

ADRIENNE HOAR McGIBBON: The governor blamed the poor scores on COVID-related school closures and chronic absenteeism.

And the state's top educator says the $418 million in the 2023 budget has helped address these issues for K-through-12 students.

LISA COONS: Chronic absenteeism rate fell 16% statewide, which means over 40,000 students are attending school more regularly last year than the prior years.

ADRIENNE HOAR McGIBBON: Governor Youngkin says he expects to see further improvements in scores and attendance now that school administrators have an entire academic year to implement their ALL In Virginia plan.

For VPM News, I'm Adrienne Hoar McGibbon.