State Superintendent Announces
School innovation Grants
RICHMOND — Superintendent of Public Instruction James Lane today announced the award of state grants to thirteen school divisions to develop or implement innovative programs that promote Virginia’s 5 C’s (critical thinking, creative thinking, collaboration, communication, and citizenship) and prepare students for careers and postsecondary education. Five school divisions received planning grants, and eight divisions received funding to support implementation this fall of previously planned innovative programs.
“These grants will help ensure that the vital work of innovation in our public schools continues despite the disruptions caused by COVID-19,” Lane said. “These innovations are aligned with the Virginia Department of Education’s vision of maximizing the potential of all students and equipping young people with the skills needed to succeed and graduate college, career and life ready.”
Montgomery County, Franklin County, Richmond, York County, and Middlesex County will each receive $50,000 first-year innovation planning grants. The proposed innovative school programs are as follows:
- Montgomery County — Montgomery County will develop a scalable model for implementing the Profile of a Virginia Graduate using innovative high school information technology course pathways. The project will be open to all students in the division’s four high schools. Teacher externships and student internships will allow both educators and students to earn IT micro-credentials.
- Franklin County — Franklin County will plan a personalized, competency-based education program for all students to improve student engagement and equip students with employable skills in communication, collaboration and critical thinking. Henry Elementary and Ferrum Elementary will serve as pilot schools for moving elementary students to personalized, competency-based education.
- Richmond — Richmond will plan sixth-grade academies focused on developing STEM literacy through a project-based curriculum and out-of-school experiences. The curriculum focuses on engaging all of the city’s students and providing appropriate supports for learning and success.
- York County — York County plans to expand its entrepreneurship program — currently offered in middle school — to elementary grades by providing an early introduction to entrepreneurship through innovation, real-world problem solving and product development. The project-based curriculum will allow elementary students to become entrepreneurs and develop skills that can be applied within any of the commonwealth’s 17 career and technical education career clusters.
- Middlesex County — Middlesex County plans to increase course offerings to include more personalized learning experiences for secondary students through virtual and hands-on coursework traditionally limited to small groups of students enrolled in specific courses. Students will have increased opportunities for externships and internships, allowing them to broaden their post-secondary goals.
Buchanan County, Fauquier County, Franklin County, and Goochland County will each receive $50,000 second-year innovation implementation grants. Charles City County, Halifax County, Henrico County, and Mecklenburg County will share a fifth $50,000 grant.
- Buchanan County — Buchanan County will implement a high school curriculum incorporating blended, multidisciplinary courses and career-exploration opportunities, including job shadowing and internships. Project-oriented instruction at all county high schools and the Buchanan County Career, Technology and Higher Learning Center will fuse the arts, social sciences, STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics), writing and research, and community service.
- Design Virginia High School Innovation Network (Halifax, Henrico, Mecklenburg, and Charles City counties) — Network divisions will focus on college, career and community readiness to prepare students for post-secondary experiences. Innovations include integrating instruction in multiple content areas with practical application and providing internships and apprenticeships for students in the following high schools: Halifax County High in Halifax County; Bluestone High and Park View High in Mecklenburg County; Charles City High in Charles City County; and Highland Springs High and J.R. Tucker High in Henrico County.
- Goochland County — Goochland County will implement a project-based, interdisciplinary program at Goochland High to give students an individualized approach to learning through career and technical education academies focusing on health and public safety, communications, agricultural and natural resources, STEM, business and marketing, and manufacturing and construction. Planned innovations include competency-based assessment of student progress, virtualization of student learning and senior capstone projects.
- Fauquier County — Fauquier County will provide teachers at Liberty High with autonomy to present interdisciplinary instruction affording students opportunities to apply content knowledge through authentic, real-world projects. Students will take part in a school wide service-learning project and forge strong community and higher education partnerships connecting juniors and seniors with mentors to ensure engagement.
- Franklin County — Franklin County will create personalized competency-based learning environments at Franklin County High to allow for accelerated completion of state graduation requirements through virtual classes, integrated instruction and flexible scheduling. The planned innovations include a health science career pathway as a model for future additional career pathways.
The 2020 General Assembly authorized up to $500,000 in competitive grants in for the 2020-2021 school year for divisions to plan innovations approved by the Virginia Department of Education, or to implement previously approved plans. The legislature defined the essential elements of program innovation as student-centered learning, with progress based on proficiency; real-world connections aligned with local workforce needs and emphasizing transitions to college or career or both; and innovative models for educator supports and staffing.
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