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FRANKLIN—Franklin Public Schools ranked second from the bottom among Virginia’s 132 public school districts on standardized test scores for 2010-11, according to an analysis commissioned by The Tidewater News.

An average of 75 percent of Franklin students passed Standards of Learning tests, according to the analysis, which averaged scores for math, science, history and English. Only Petersburg had a lower average in Virginia.

Isle of Wight Schools ranked 12th statewide and Southampton Public Schools in the top half.

The Tidewater News provided results of the analysis last week to Franklin, Southampton and Isle of Wight administrators and gave each the opportunity to review the analysis and dispute its accuracy. None did so.

Franklin Superintendent Dr. Michelle Belle said she’s never heard of rankings based on SOL test scores and has never seen scores in individual subject areas averaged together.

“I can’t speak to it because I can’t see how it was derived,” Belle said. “We need to improve.”

The lowest-ranking district in Virginia was Petersburg, whose superintendent, Dr. Alvera Parrish, will replace retiring Southampton County Public Schools Superintendent Charles Turner on July 1.

Seventy-three percent of Petersburg students passed, according to the analysis.

Parrish declined to comment.

“I’m really looking forward to coming to Southampton and to a positive start in the Southampton community,” Parrish said. “I don’t think it’s appropriate to discuss Petersburg information with The Tidewater News. I can’t see anything positive here.”

Southampton County Schools were ranked 56th statewide with 86 percent of students passing the tests.

“We are proud of the hard work of students and staff, but we are always looking to improve,” Turner said.

Isle of Wight County Schools ranked 12th with 91 percent of students passing the tests.

The analysis further breaks down each school system’s SOL performance along racial and socioeconomic lines.

In Franklin, 72 percent of students who received free- and reduced-price lunches passed the tests, while 87 percent of students paying full price for lunch passed. White students passed at a rate of 95 percent, while black students passed at a rate of 71 percent.

In Petersburg, 73 percent of students with government-subsidized lunches passed, while 77 percent of students paying full price passed, according to the analysis. White students passed at a rate of 98 percent, while black student passed at a rate of 73 percent.

In Isle of Wight, 84 percent of students in the free- and reduced-price lunch program passed, while 95 percent of students paying full price passed. White students passed at a rate of 94 percent and black students at a rate of 83 percent.

In Southampton, 81 percent of students who get free and reduced-price lunches passed, and students paying full price passed at a 91 percent clip. White students passed at a rate of 91 percent and black students at a rate of 79 percent.