As noted previously, beginning in spring 2024, the Standards of Learning (SOL) Reading test includes a new Integrated Reading and Writing (IRW) test component for grade 5, grade 8, and end-of-course (EOC). In the current implementation plan for the EOC IRW, for students enrolled in Grade 11 English the EOC IRW component is optional for divisions to administer at this time. Students are required to complete the EOC SOL Reading test for federal accountability requirements; however, divisions may a) determine not to administer the EOC IRW component within the division or b) make the component optional for their high school students completing Grade 11 English. In spring 2024, the IRW component will not be used for accountability purposes. Please note this option does not apply to the Grade 5 and Grade 8 IRW components. 

As a reminder, students must continue to earn one verified credit in reading and one in writing as part of their graduation requirements, and they must complete the EOC SOL Reading test to meet federal accountability requirements. A reading verified credit can be achieved by passing the EOC SOL Reading test or achieving the required minimum score on Substitute Tests Approved for Awarding Verified Credit in reading. A writing verified credit can be achieved by passing the EOC SOL Writing test, achieving the required minimum score on Substitute Tests Approved for Awarding Verified Credit in writing, or within a participating division, earning a verified credit through successful completion of local performance assessments. The EOC IRW component is not included in the current graduation or federal accountability requirements.  

The Code of Virginia and Virginia Literacy Act require that each local school board shall adopt a comprehensive, unified, long-range plan. The division wide comprehensive plan shall also include a division wide literacy plan for pre-kindergarten through grade eight.  

To support school division leaders in developing and implementing effective strategies to achieve the goals of the VLA, school divisions are participating in the Literacy Implementation Network Series, where teams are creating their division literacy plans. Section Two of the Division Literacy Plan Template includes the selection of approved high-quality Core, Supplemental and Intervention Programs for Grades K-8.  

During the Call for Submissions, a high volume of high-quality instructional material (HQIM) supplemental and intervention literacy material was offered for review. As a result, the Virginia Literacy Partnerships will present this information to the Board of Education for review in two phases.  Programs in the initial phase will be brought to the Board of Education at the March 2024 meeting with anticipated approval in April 2024.  An additional compilation of VLA supplemental and intervention programs will be presented to the Board for review and approval in late summer 2024.  

As school divisions create their division wide literacy plans, due June 3, they should continue their efforts on the roll out of their core K-5 HQIM. Divisions will have the ability to amend and update their baseline one-year plans. Revisions regarding the selection of supplemental and intervention programs will be due by December 6, 2024.   

The primary mission of the Jobs for Virginia Graduates program is to assist high school students at risk of dropping out of school or having other barriers to graduation. The program provides additional support enabling these students to graduate and secure and retain quality jobs.  This year's grant is for $30,000 and does not require a local match.  These funds must be used to expand services in existing JVG programs and to add additional JVG programs in local school divisions based on the Jobs for America's Graduates national model.  

School divisions may use the grant funds to employ a job specialist who will work directly with the students who meet the program criteria.  New local JVG specialists are required to participate in the annual Jobs for America’s Graduates National Training Seminar.  The JVG presently serves over 1400 students in 63 sites and 39 school divisions across the Commonwealth of Virginia.  The Department of Education serves as fiscal agent for these programs. 

School divisions interested in submitting a new JVG Competitive Grant Award Application must complete the new program online application, which must be received no later than 5 p.m. on  April 19, 2024.  School divisions interested in continuing the JVG program must complete the continuing program online application, no later than 5 p.m. on April 19, 2024. 

The Virginia Department of Education is accepting nominations through Friday, March 22, 2024, for participation in the 2024 Standards of Learning (SOL) Special Test Forms Review Committee. The Special Test Forms Review Committee will be responsible for reviewing SOL test items on the braille and large-print test forms for students who are visually impaired. Committee nominees should be educators with expertise in the instruction of students with visual impairments and experience with the administration of braille and large-print test forms.  This meeting will be held in Richmond, Virginia and convene twice during 2024 as follows: Session 1: July 23-25, 2024, and Session 2: October 15-18, 2024. 

All individuals who wish to serve on this committee, including those who have previously served, must submit an online application found in the Assessment Committee Application Processing System (ACAPS). Approximately twelve members will be selected. The application will require a professional reference and school division approval. Completed applications are due to the Virginia Department of Education by Friday, March 22, 2024. Applicants are responsible for ensuring all required parts of the application are complete by this date. 

For additional information about this opportunity including committee members’ responsibilities and provisions for committee members, please see the 2024 Special Test Forms Review Committee Information Document available on the Assessment Committees webpage. 

The Virginia Department of Education, Office of School and Community Nutrition Programs (VDOE-SCNP), is pleased to announce the recipients of the Governor’s Scorecard on Nutrition and Physical Activity awards for the fall cycle of the 2023-2024 school year. The Governor’s Scorecard recognizes schools that promote a culture of health and wellness through food quality, participation in meal programs, health and physical education, and physical activity. Schools are encouraged to highlight their wellness initiatives on the scorecard utilizing the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Whole School, Whole Community, Whole Child model. 

Congratulations to this cycle’s bronze award winner: Diamond Springs Elementary School from Virginia Beach City Public Schools. The Buckingham County Prekindergarten Center and Virginia Beach’s Brookwood Elementary School both received participation awards.  

More information can be found on the Virginia Govenor’s Scorecard website.  

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).  Participants will receive professional development points for attending the three-hour long sessions.  

Superintendents or designee may register their team using the regional links HERE.   

Regional sessions will be held: 

• Region 2: February 29 at 12:30 p.m. held at Mariners Museum, 100 Museum Drive, Newport News.
• Region 3: February 29 at 9 a.m. held at Spotsylvania Boardroom Administrative Services, 8020 River Stone Drive, Fredericksburg.
• Region 4: February 23 at 1 p.m. held at 121 Mustang Alley, Falls Church.
• Region 7: March 7 at 9:30 a.m. held at Southwest Virginia Higher Education Center, Grand Hall 1 Partnership Cir, Abingdon. 

On November 1, 2023, Governor Glenn Youngkin released Executive Order 28, directing the Department of Education to issue guidance on best practices related to protocols for school leaders regarding parent notification protocols for a school-connected overdose, re-enforcing best practices for law enforcement collaboration to prevent student overdoses, and providing information to local school divisions and parents about drug education, decision-making skills, and prevention programs for students. 

The guidance required by Executive Order 28 is available on the Virginia Regulatory Town Hall here.   

Spring 2024 Program Monitoring for Federal Pandemic Relief Programs

Audience: Superintendents, Directors, Federal Pandemic Relief Coordinators
Contact: Carol Sylvester, Director of Office of Federal Pandemic Relief Programs, Carol.Sylvester@doe.virginia.gov 

This afternoon, Thursday, February 22, the full Senate and House of Delegates voted to adopt the separate proposed budget amendments each chamber released on Sunday, February 18. The budget recommendations from both chambers now proceed to a conference committee and, upon final passage, to the Governor for review and action. 

Early next week VDOE will be releasing summaries of all early education and public education-related budget actions, as well as an estimation guide for school divisions to reference when comparing the budget documents to the planning tool published in December.   

After adjournment of the General Assembly regular session, pursuant to §22.1-93 of the Code of Virginia, VDOE will publish calculation templates showing estimated school division payments for FY 2024 and the 2024-2026 biennium.