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Superintendent's Bi-Weekly News & Updates - March 6, 2020
#ReadAcrossAmerica2020
Dr. Lane reads to an excited group of students at the Martin Luther King, Jr. Preschool center in Richmond, VA as part of Read Across America Week on Tuesday, March 3, 2020.
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Information for Virginia Schools on Coronavirus (COVID-19) |
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The Virginia Department of Health (VDH) has developed information and resources to assist schools in responding to this evolving public health crisis. The VDH along with the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) have informed VDOE that there are currently no cases of the coronavirus in Virginia and they will continue actively monitoring the status across the nation. VDOE will also continue to provide further information as more updates are received.
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Legislative Updates: Early Childhood Expansion |
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Senate Bill 578 and House Bill 1012 have both passed and will make their way to Governor Northam's desk for signature. This legislation will transform Virginia's early childhood education while laying the foundation for expanding access to quality instructional opportunities for thousands of early learners across the Commonwealth. VDOE continues collaborating with school divisions to provide customized data to provide guidance on funding allocations and quantifying slots available for preschoolers. |
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State Superintendent Calls Summit on Literacy and Reading Achievement in Virginia |
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Dr. Lane and the Virginia Department of Education Literacy team hosted superintendents and instructional leaders of the commonwealth’s 132 school divisions for a summit on literacy and reading, Monday, February 24, 2020. The all-day summit — which included presentations by nationally recognized experts on effective reading instruction — is part of the Virginia Department of Education’s response to recent declines in the performance of Virginia students on state and national reading assessments.
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State Superintendent Lane Calls Summit on Literacy and Reading Achievement
- Dr. Lane announced 7 strategies for improving literacy instruction: Enhance the Awareness of the Science of Reading; Improve Teacher Preparation; Eliminate Educator Shortage; Expand Early Childhood Education Programs; Ensure Equitable Access to Rigorous Instruction; Increase Support for Students Beyond the Classroom; Align Policy with Instructional Practice.
- Since the release of state and national test results last summer and fall, VDOE has provided school divisions with technical support in the form of instructional resources and regional workshops and web conferences focused on research-based reading instruction, best practices, literacy, and the 2017 English Standards of Learning.
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State Superintendent Welcomes Second Virginia is for Learners Network #VaLIN Cohort |
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On March 2, 2020, Dr. Lane joined Ted Dintersmith and the second #VaLIN Cohort participants to share ideas on how to accelerate innovation and promote deeper learning in the commonwealth’s public schools. The #VaLIN Cohort is an initiative of the Virginia Department of Education, James Madison University, Jobs for the Future, and the Virginia School Consortium for Learning, and the Edu21C Foundation.
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African American History Education Commission Listening Sessions |
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Dr. Lane joins Governor Northam’s African American History Education Commission and the VDOE Office of Equity & Community Engagement for a series of public listening sessions in February and March to seek community input to examine how to strengthen African American history education and the Virginia history education standards in the Commonwealth’s public schools.
Upcoming listening sessions:
- Wednesday, March 11 - Norfolk State University, 700 Park Avenue, Nursing and General Education Building, Room 101, Norfolk, Virginia 23504
- Thursday, March 12 - Woodbridge Middle School, 2201 York Drive, Woodbridge, Virginia 22191
- Wednesday, March 18 - J.M. Langston School, 228 Cleveland Street, Danville, Virginia 24541
- All listening sessions will take place from 6:00 PM to 7:30 PM. Sessions will begin with a moderated panel discussion facilitated by the members of the Commission, followed by public comment. Speakers will have three minutes each to address the Commission.
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Virginia Department of Education Launches New Brand with a Nod to ALL Learners |
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Dr. Lane is excited to announce the official launch of the new Virginia Department of Education brand. Following the successful launch of the Virginia is for Learners campaign last April and the rollout of the agency's new strategic plan, #DRIVE2025, the new brand will focus on the Department's mission to advance equitable and innovative learning in the Commonwealth by actualizing the vision to maximize the potential of all learners. The brand's aesthetic will embody the look and feel of Virginia is for Learners in partnership with the Virginia Tourism Office. |
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School Stops Around the Commonwealth #VASuptSchoolStops |
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Dr. Lane continues to make his rounds across the state, recently visiting @SurrySchools and @BCPSVA to observe the Virginia 5 C's in action.
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