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This Week's To Do's
This Week’s Articles
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News from Across the Commonwealth
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Black History Month 2024
As our nation observes Black History Month, the Virginia Department of Education (VDOE) is pleased to provide school divisions with resources that honor African Americans and celebrate their achievements and contributions to America.
In 1925, Carter G. Woodson and the organization he founded–the Association for the Study of Negro Life and History (ASNLH)–conceived and announced Negro History Week. Expanded to a month in 1976, ASNLH, now the Association for the Study of African American Life and History (ASALH), continues to promote the study of Black history all year. Each year, the ASALH establishes a Black History Month theme that emphasizes important developments relevant to the Black experience; the 2024 theme is African Americans and the Arts. African American art is infused with African, Caribbean, and the Black American lived experiences. In the fields of visual and performing arts, literature, fashion, folklore, language, film, music, architecture, culinary and other forms of cultural expression, the African American influence has been paramount. For greater understanding and deeper connection, activities should aim to:
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Engage students, teachers, parents, and the community at large.
- Align with the national theme for Black History Month; and
- Provide opportunities for ALL staff to enhance their understanding of the role of African Americans in helping to build America.
These are the Virginia specific resources:
Here are some additional Virginia-based resources
For more instructional support and information, please contact Department of Learning and Innovation via email at instruction@doe.virginia.gov.
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Dr. Lisa Coons, Superintendent of Public Instruction
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The month of February reminds us of the impact of our forefathers on our culture and history. We are incredibly honored to celebrate Black History Month at the VDOE, and this month our book display is focused on Black authors.
I am also excited to have seen coverage of so many superintendents reading to classrooms across the Commonwealth. We are so appreciative of this elevation and the emphasis you are putting on literacy.
I would like to expand this recognition of our outstanding educators to one of our own at VDOE. I am so proud of Dr. Marcey Sorensen, VDOE Deputy Superintendent for Teaching and Learning, on being named as Acting Superintendent of the La Joya Independent School District in La Joya, Texas. During her tenure at VDOE, Dr. Sorensen led the VDOE’s successful efforts to revise Virginia’s Math Standards of Learning, as well as directed the preparation for implementation of the Virginia Literacy Act. She also supported school divisions in the establishment of the ALL In high-intensity tutoring programs, including developing the ALL In High-Intensity Academic Tutoring Division Playbook. Marcey also took the lead on VDOE’s efforts to make the digital tutoring practice platforms Zearn, Lexia, and Ignite available to students. We congratulate Marcey on her new position and know she is going to make a real difference in the lives of students in her new role, just as she has done in Virginia.
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News from our Content Specialists and Special Education
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VDOE Literacy Network Implementation Series Kicks Off Next Week
Audience: Superintendents, Directors, School Principals
Contact: Jill Nogueras, English Coordinator, Jill.Nogueras@doe.virginia.gov
VDOE’s Literacy Network Implementation Series is designed to support Division leaders in developing and implementing effective strategies to achieve the goals of the Virginia Literacy Act and increase literacy outcomes for students across Virginia.
Session #1 will review the process for leading impactful systems-level change to improve literacy outcomes for all of Virginia’s students. Participants will explore the Division Literacy Plan, deepen their understanding of the components of a coherent literacy strategy, and can develop and/or refine their school division literacy vision while planning to share and invest all stakeholders in this vision.
Division Teams of up to seven people should be formed and should include the Superintendent, Assistant Superintendent of Instruction or CAO/Director of Instruction, Division Level Literacy Lead (supervisor/coordinator/director), and Principal(s) who can help carry the message back to the Division. Teams should also invite a Director of Special Education, Director of Multilingual Learning/ESL or special populations, or Reading Specialist(s). Superintendents or designee may register their team using the regional links HERE.
The first session will be held next week for Region 8 on February 8 at 9 a.m. at Estes Community Center, 316 N Main St, Chase City. Participants will receive professional development points for attending the three-hour long sessions.
Additional regional sessions will be held:
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Region 1: February 13 at 8 a.m. held at Chesterfield Technical Center, 13900 Hull Street Road, Midlothian.
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Region 2: February 29 at 12:30 p.m. held at Mariners Museum, 100 Museum Drive, Newport News.
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Region 3: February 29 at 9 a.m. held at Spotsylvania Boardroom Administrative Services, 8020 River Stone Drive, Fredericksburg.
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Region 4: February 23 at 1 p.m. held at 121 Mustang Alley, Falls Church.
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Region 5: February 20 at 9:30 a.m. held at Center 1. 1180 Seminole Trl. Charlottesville, VA.
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Region 6: February 21 at 9 a.m. held at Salem High School, 400 Spartan Drive, Salem, VA.
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Region 7: March 7 at 9:30 a.m. held at Southwest Virginia Higher Education Center, Grand Hall 1 Partnership Cir, Abingdon.
February 8 Deadline: Nominations for the 2025 Mary V. Bicouvaris Teacher of the Year Program
Audience: Superintendents
Contact: Todd Reid, Assistant Superintendent, Todd.Reid@doe.virginia.gov
Next Thursday, February 8, is the deadline for submission of completed division applications for the 2025 Mary V. Bicouvaris Teacher of the Year Program. Packets should be submitted by Thursday, February 8, at 4pm to TeacheroftheYear@doe.virginia.gov. Please see our Educator Recognition webpage for complete details and to download the division application.
Virginia Department of Education’s Video Guide to the Special Education Evaluation Process for Families
Audience: Superintendents, Directors
Contact: Bonnie English, Specialist-Related Services, Evaluation and Eligibility, Bonnie.English@doe.virginia.gov
In response to feedback and collaboration with the field, as well as to legislation passed by the Virginia General Assembly, the Virginia Department of Education (VDOE) has released a Video Guide to the Special Education Evaluation Process for Families as additional guidance to support accurate and consistent eligibility determinations and access to special education services across school divisions. These video modules will provide parents, families, and other stakeholders with a brief but comprehensive overview of the special education process on the following topics: Introduction (Overview of Series), Identification, Evaluation, Eligibility, Individualized Education Program (IEP), Reevaluation, Early Intervention, and What’s Next. Each module is designed to be viewed as a stand-alone resource or viewed in succession.
Virginia Kindness Week
Audience: Superintendents, School Principals, Teachers, Non-teaching staff
Contact: Sarah Bazemore, School Counseling Specialist, Sarah.Bazemore@doe.virginia.gov
In honor of Virginia Kindness Week, the VDOE is encouraging schools to promote and celebrate kindness during the week of February 11-17, 2024. The purpose of Virginia Kindness Week is to recognize that simple day-to-day acts of kindness enable our schools, communities, and state to be a kinder, safer, healthier, and more inclusive place to live, work, learn, and play. Schools can access resources to plan their Virginia Kindness Week initiatives on the VDOE’s Virginia Kindness Week webpage to help promote and recognize kindness among students and staff.
Announcing the 2023-2024 Mentor Teacher Program Division Awards
Audience: Superintendents, Directors
Contact: Shawna LeBlond, Director of Apprenticeships, Shawna.LeBlond@doe.virginia.gov
Nominations for the 2024 Standards of Learning Item Review Committees
Audience: Superintendents, Directors, School Principals, Teachers, Instructional Supervisors
Contact: Office of Student Assessment, student_assessment@doe.virginia.gov
The Office of Student Assessment is seeking nominations for the 2024 Standards of Learning (SOL) Item Review Committees. Approximately 10-15 members are needed for each committee, and school divisions may nominate one or more representatives for each committee. The Committees will be convened for Mathematics, Reading, Science, and History & Social Science in July 2024 in Richmond, Virginia. For a full list of committees and specific dates, please refer to the SOL Item Review Committee Information document and the SOL Assessment Committees webpage.
Committee members will be chosen based on grade-level experience and content area expertise; in-depth knowledge of the SOL; instructional/supervisory experience with students of varied learning styles, abilities, and aptitudes, including students with disabilities and students with limited English proficiency; and balanced regional representation.
All individuals who wish to serve on these committees, including those who have previously served, must apply online using the link found on the SOL Assessment Committees webpage. An application must be completed by Friday, March 22, 2024, for consideration by the Virginia Department of Education.
Notice of In-Person and Virtual Public Hearings on the Proposed 2024 English Standards of Learning
Audience: Superintendents, Directors, School Principals, Child Care Center Operators, Teachers, Non-teaching staff, Families, Business Leaders, and Community Members
Contact: Jill Nogueras, English Coordinator, vdoe.english@doe.virginia.gov
The Virginia Board of Education will hold public hearings on the proposed 2024 English Standards of Learning. The Standards of Learning identify the essential content, processes, and skills for grade levels and subject courses. The proposed 2024 English Standards of Learning can be accessed on the Virginia Department of Education’s website. Public comment regarding the proposed 2024 English Standards of Learning may be offered through public hearings or public comment through the Virginia Department of Education website until March 1, 2024.
Each in-person public hearing will begin at 6:30 p.m. Registration of speakers will begin at 6:10 p.m. Speakers will have three minutes to speak and should bring copies of their comments for the Board of Education. Virtual public hearings will be held at a variety of times to accommodate public participation. In case of inclement weather, in-person hearings will transition to virtual and notice will be given and registration links provided on the Review and Revision of the 2017 English SOL page. Public hearings will be held at the following locations and times:
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Monday, February 5, 2024
In-Person 6:30 p.m.
Robert Russa Moton Museum Auditorium
900 Griffin Boulevard
Farmville, VA
Directions to this location
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Tuesday, February 6, 2024
Virtual 6:30 p.m.
Registration Link
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Monday, February 12, 2024
Virtual 9:00 a.m.
Registration Link
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February 13, 2024
In-Person 6:30 p.m.
Christopher Newport University
Torggler Fine Arts Center, Room 102
Newport News, VA
Directions to this location
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February 15, 2024
In-Person 6:30 p.m.
James Madison University
Memorial Hall Room 6110
395 S. High Street
Harrisonburg, VA
Directions to this location
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February 16, 2024
Virtual 11:30 a.m.
Registration Link
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February 20, 2024
In-Person 6:30 p.m.
Thomas R. Fulgham Conference Center
Chesterfield Career & Technical Center
13900 Hull Street
Midlothian, VA
Directions to Location
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February 21, 2024
In-Person 6:30 p.m.
Southwest Higher Education Center
Executive Auditorium
1 Partnership Circle
Abingdon, VA
Directions to Location
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February 22, 2024
Virtual 11:30 a.m.
Registration Link
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February 26, 2024
In-Person 6:30 p.m.
Laurel Ridge Community College
Barkman Family Conference Center, Hazel Hall
Warrenton, VA
Directions to Location
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School Performance & Support
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Technical Assistance Webinar: School Needs Assessment and Support Plan
Audience: Superintendents, Directors, School Principals, Division leaders
Contact: Danjile Henderson, School Quality Specialist, Danjile.Henderson@doe.virginia.gov
As part of the series on the Virginia Support Framework and supporting schools in continuous improvement, the Office of School Quality (OSQ) is excited to invite division leaders from divisions with any schools having a Level 2 in Academic Achievement in English, mathematics and/or science for all students, and/or a Level 3 in any area to attend training on the new School Needs Assessment and Comprehensive School Support Plan. This 75-minute webinar will be offered on Wednesday, February 14, 2024, and Thursday, February 15, 2024.
This technical assistance will give division leaders a review of the continuous improvement process with a specific focus on conducting a school needs assessment and developing a school support plan. An explanation and example will be presented during the webinar to support division leaders in assisting schools on this process. The new School Needs Assessment and Support Plan may meet both federal and state requirements.
The OSQ has sent correspondence to Division OSQ contacts with the registration links for this webinar. Please refer to that message and share the preferred registration link to all pertinent division personnel. Division leaders may choose to extend invitations to school leaders as well.
Processes for Excused and Unexcused Student Absences: Approaching or At 15 Days; Students With Disabilities
Audience: Superintendents, Directors, School Principals
Contact: Alexandra Javna, Social Work Specialist, Alexandra.Javna@doe.virginia.gov
The department appreciates school division’s efforts in reducing chronic student absenteeism. As a reminder, there are critical decision points for school divisions when a student has significant absences that is nearing or has reached 15 or more consecutive days.
Missed instruction, regardless of reason, can have significant academic consequences. As school divisions implement strategies for ensuring students attend school every day, they should consider a multi-faceted approach to reducing student absences. Students who have significant absences that lead to chronic absenteeism need more complex supports than other students who may have better attendance records. Strategies for supporting attendance can be found on Virginia Department of Education’s (VDOE) website: Chronic Absenteeism Task Force.
Implementing strategies to assist students before reaching 15 days is imperative for school divisions. If the consecutive absences for 15 days are excused, or a combination of excused and unexcused, school divisions MUST follow locally defined procedures for re-engaging the student in school activities. In addition, when a student with an IEP or 504 reaches 15 consecutive days, as long as the student remains a resident within the jurisdiction of the local educational agency, the school division must implement the requirements for a free appropriate public education (FAPE). Please note that if a student attends a medical facility or day home outside of the county, they are still considered a resident of their home county.
Virginia law requires institutions having children in residence or custody to provide education and training commensurate with that provided to pupils in public schools. These educational services may be provided on-site cooperatively with the VDOE or pursuant to a contract with a public school division or other public or private nonsectarian school, agency, or facility.
School divisions should have a process to monitor students with disabilities experiencing chronic absenteeism while ensuring IEP case managers have access to the student’s records even after the student is withdrawn. An IEP meeting is recommended to be scheduled to address whether the student’s disability is having an impact on their attendance and failure to do so could result in a denial of FAPE. Residency, not enrollment, determines the school division’s obligation to provide FAPE to all students with disabilities.
VDOE has resources to support this important work because attendance matters for all students! Visit the VDOE’s Attendance and School Engagement webpage.
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Career Opportunities at VDOE
The Virginia Department of Education is hiring. Access the list of our current job openings to learn more and apply.
Additional Information
Varsity Tutors for Schools Available At No Cost
Varsity Tutors for Schools has asked VDOE to share that their platform is available at no cost through the 2026-2027 school year. The platform includes the following resources:
- 24/7 On-Demand Chat Tutoring
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On-Demand Essay Review
- Live Enrichment Classes
- SAT and ACT Test Prep Classes
- Celebrity-Led StarCourses
- Self-Study Resources
- College & Career Readiness Resources
- Adaptive Diagnostic Assessments
- Recorded Enrichment Classes
In addition to the resources available in the platform, Varsity Tutors also offers high-dosage tutoring models that provide divisions the ability to implement large-scale, virtual, two-way video-based high-dosage tutoring programs. Learn more about the Varsity Tutors comprehensive learning platform here. This information is not an endorsement by VDOE, but we wanted to share this free resource.
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