Was there any thought given to the number of students tested? For example, I taught 2 sections (about 60 students) of Algebra 2 last year. Only two of them had to take the Virginia SOL and only one of those two passed the test. That would make it seem as if only 50% of my students passed, but the sample size was too small to be relevant.

In Virginia, it was very easy for families to opt out of standardized testing and many if not most did. So, while I recognize test scores were lower, does the data that was actually collected paint as clear of a picture as the study seems to suggest?