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Black History Month Resources
VDOE is pleased to provide school divisions with resources that honor African Americans and celebrate their achievements and contributions to America. To ensure that Black history is taught across all subject areas with cultural competence, sensitivity, and depth, educators and leaders are encouraged to review Virginia’s Equity Framework and webpages, which outline the tenants of culturally responsive practice. We encourage educators to embody the true spirit of this celebratory time through meaningful and engaging lessons that extend beyond the month of February and beyond history and social science.
Career and Technical Education New Teacher Institute-Due June 11
VDOE, in collaboration with UVA, will offer the CTE New Teacher Institute from July 12-16 as an online course. The Institute is designed specifically for CTE teachers who are transitioning directly from business and industry to the classroom. Participants will need to complete an online enrollment form by June 11. See Superintendent’s Memo 029-21 for details.
Nominees: Physical Education, Driver Education, and Family Life Education SOL Educators’ Committee-Due March 15
VDOE is also seeking applications from division superintendents for individuals who are qualified and available to serve on the Physical Education, Driver Education, and Family Life Education SOL Steering and Educator Committees during the spring and summer of 2021. Nominees should be teachers, principals, administrators, content specialists, or others who have an in depth working knowledge of the content areas and experience with standards development. See Superintendent’s Memo 027-21 for the online application process and additional details.
Nominees: History and Social Science SOL Educators’ Committee-Due March 15
VDOE is also seeking nominations from division superintendents for educators who are qualified and available to serve on committees to review the K-12 History and Social Science SOL during the summer of 2021. Nominees for the Educators’ Committee should be Virginia teachers, principals, administrators, content specialists, or others who have expertise with the content areas and the Standards. Those interested in applying must submit an application using the web-based ICAPS system (copy/paste link into browser for best results). The application will require a professional reference and division approval. See Superintendent’s Memo 025-21 for details and online application process.
VDOE EL Instruction Resources and Professional Learning Opportunities: Options at your Fingertips
Did you know that the VDOE English Learner Education website includes resources on evidence-based practices for quality instruction for ELs? Educators have access to a number of resources that are updated frequently including:
- VDOE created infographics for instruction in various content areas and for distance learning in all content areas;
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EL Teacher Toolkit -a Teaching EL students 101 for any teacher with a EL;
-links to WIDA’s free and self-paced eLearning options; and
- External resources on Distance Learning, Collaboration, Culturally Responsive Instruction, Differentiation, Leading for Equity and more.
- Check out this recording (Access Code #ELWebinar2021) for a guided tour of the website including deeper dives into key resources and topics.
Career Switcher Program-March 29
The VCU School of Education Career Switcher Program, is holding a virtual informational session on March 29 at 6 p.m. for anyone interested in becoming a teacher. Please share this information or RSVP today!
2021 Virginia General Assembly
VDOE tracks and reports on proposed legislation, bills and resolutions of interest to school superintendents and division personnel. The history of any bill or resolution, all amendments, and the text of the legislation are available through weekly legislative tracking reports during the session.
Opportunity to Comment on an Addendum and Waiver to Virginia’s Every Student Succeeds Act of 2015 State Plan
In recognition of the continued impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, the USED has created a streamlined addendum process for states to amend their Consolidated State Plans. Using the addendum process, states may request modifications for one year in current year calculations and may also request permission to shift forward by one year their interim measures of progress and school identification timelines. VDOE is seeking input on an addendum and waiver to its ESSA Consolidated State Plan as a result of USED’s approved process. For directions on how to provide feedback, the proposed addendum and waiver items, see Superintendent’s Memo 026-21.
Library of Congress Teaching with Primary Sources Webinars
Join Teaching with Primary Sources every Wednesday in February at 4 p.m. exciting educational webinars. Email Information@tpsnva.org to register:
-February 10: The Veterans History Project. Join Andy Huber, LOC, to explore firsthand remembrances of U.S. military veterans from WWI through recent conflicts. Teachers will learn how to access interviews, oral histories, photographs and other primary source. Kits are available for students at least age 15 to preserve the histories of our veterans.
-February 17: History's Mysteries. Join Laurie Risler and Kelley Brown, The Collaborative for Education, with your elementary students for this engaging and adaptable approach focused on historical inquiry. In each "History Mystery," students act as historians as they investigate primary and secondary sources to solve a mystery.
-February 24: Eagle Eye Citizen. Join Nate Sleeter, Roy Rosenzweig, of the GMU Center for History and New Media, for this online game that engages middle and high school students in developing civic understanding and historical thinking skills. This is done by solving interactive challenges about Congress, American history, civic and government with primary sources.
University of Richmond Spanish Student Volunteers Available
Students in the Spanish in the Community class are available as volunteers for virtual tutoring and mentoring programs. Volunteers can provide support in different ways such as Spanish tutoring, support in dual language programs, creating bilingual videos and recordings for children, assisting families with OER, and more. To recruit volunteers, work with your school division's EL Program Coordinator to submit a request by emailing Professor Karina Vázquez.
National Writing Project Online Course -Starting February 17
Teacher-Leaders are offering an online course on Teaching Routine Argument Writing with the College, Career, and Community Writers Program. In this 4-week course, participants along with an NWP Coach/Thinking Partner will explore approaches for engaging students in routine argument writing about relevant issues. There are costs associated with this online course so check out NWP for details.
Online Course for Virginia Studies Teachers
Thinking Historically About Virginia is a self-paced online course with interactive modules for Virginia Studies teachers. Each module guides participants through Virginia history with primary sources as well as video, audio, and text analysis. Recertification points are available and there is a fee for this course. Register by February 22.
VASCD Micro-Credentials
These micro-credentials were developed to advance teaching skills that promote deeper learning among students and align with the Profile of a Virginia Classroom. There are currently 17 micro-credential offerings which will be made available from February-May 2021. This first set in February includes skills related to learning-oriented classroom communities:
-Facilitating Respectful Student-to-Student Conversations.
-Building Classroom Community.
-Building Students’ Academic Discussion Skills.
-Incorporating Peer Review and Feedback.
The cost is $120 per micro-credential or for bundles of ten (10), email Bev Winter. For more information see VASCD.
Evidenced Based Specially Designed Instruction in Mathematics VDOE Webinar- February 23
Schema Based Instruction is an evidenced based strategy for teaching word problem solving to students with disabilities. Participate in this webinar to learn more about this strategy and how to use it effectively with your students! Space is limited so register today!
National Constitution Center Opportunities
This resource supports social studies departments with free Scholar Exchanges and live online civics classes for students every week. The classes are interactive and engaging with part lecture and part lively discussion. Educators can incorporate this content into their existing curriculum. Find out more information today about these live interactive classes.
VASCD Book Club Event
This book club features Not Light, But Fire: How to Lead Meaningful Race Conversations in the Classroom, by Matthew Kay. It will begin with a kickoff presentation by the author in February, followed by three monthly facilitated discussion groups. This event is free for VASCD Members using code VASCDMEMBER or $35.00 per session for non members. Participants will need to register for each individual session. Sessions begin at 4 p.m.:
-February 23: Join Matt Kay and Dennie Williams for this kickoff presentation.
-March 23: The Ecosystem: Reflection, Listening and Cultural Competence
-April 20: How Can We Have These Conversations?
-May 18: A Study of Conversations
Brown v. Board of Education Summer Workshop
Teachers (grades 6-12) are invited to participate in a one-week summer virtual workshop on school desegregation in Virginia following the historic Brown v. Board of Education decision. Participants will virtually interact with leading historians in the field, engage historic sites and archives, and will discuss curricular and teaching techniques related to this subject. Participants will receive a stipend. Deadline to apply is March 1.
Connecting and Collaborating: Refining Remote Teaching
Designed for practicing educators, this five-part video series (December 15, 2020 – March 1, 2021) is the missing instructional strategies course for remote and transitional education. Meg Ormiston delivers upbeat interactive asynchronous sessions to engage and inspire educators to refine their planning, assignments, assessments, and the use of technology tools. Find out more information and costs from VASCD.
Additional Details Regarding SOL Testing in Fall 2020 and Spring 2021
The purpose of Superintendent’s Memo 023-21 is to share additional details regarding Standards of Learning testing in fall 2020 and spring 2021. At the request of school divisions impacted by an increase in COVID-19 cases, VDOE is expanding, when possible, the number of days available to administer SOL tests. The schedule changes are detailed in this memo along with other information related to the administration of SOL assessments.
Improving Mathematical Problem Solving in Grades 4 Through 8
This guide, from the US Department of Education, offers educators evidence-based recommendations that address the challenge of improving mathematical problem solving in grades 4-8. It provides information on critical topics related to improving mathematical problem solving. Check it out today!
U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit 2021 Essay Contest
Students in grades 9–12 are invited to participate in the Contest and respond to the question: What are the responsibilities of citizenship, and how do those responsibilities support and reinforce the rule of law? Essays are strictly limited to 1,000 words. Submissions due by May 28 at 11:59 p.m.
2021 Granville P. Meade Scholarship
The Granville P. Meade Scholarship that provides financial assistance to students who have achieved academically but who are financially unable to attend college. The fund awards scholarships to eligible Virginia high-school seniors to attend one of Virginia's public or private colleges or universities. See Superintendent’s Memo 017-21 for additional details and deadlines.
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2021 Virtual VJAS Virginia Junior Academy of Science
This competition is for middle-high school students that builds on the interests of young research scientists! The competition is open statewide for school and individual memberships. The online paper submission process has been extended to March 10. The Student Virtual Competition will be hosted by Williams and Mary on May 15.
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Echoes and Reflections Webinars for Educators-March 23
This professional development program is hosted by New American History and designed to provide Holocaust education and history, explore classroom-ready content, and support instructional practice. Participants will gain understanding of this complex history and its lasting effect on the world. Register today!
Environmental Literacy Plan
This template is intended for school divisions to support where environmental literacy activities are unfolding across the Pre-K-12 experience. Environmental Literacy Plans are included as an important strategy in the recent Chesapeake B-WET funding opportunity. If you have any questions about how to use this tool, feel free to connect with Candace Lutzow-Felling or Elise Trelegan.
Grammar Reimagined Workshop-July 29
Sean Ruday will lead interactive discussions about teaching grammar in the context of writing instruction, using mentor texts, and enhancing student metacognition of grammatical concepts and writing strategies. Participants will receive a signed copy of one of his books. The workshop will be held at Zehmer Hall, University of Virginia, in a socially-distanced manner with appropriate space between attendees. See UVA for associate costs and details or email questions to sean.ruday@gmail.com.
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