To kickstart 2025, Lexia® has prepared the following in alignment with the updated VDOE-Lexia Recommended Timeline to support division’s next steps and create success for leaders, educators, students, and families.  

Please review and send the resources linked below to your ALL In educators and students’ families: 

• For Leadership: Review the 2025 Kickstart Steps and connect with your Lexia Success Manager to map your division’s winter and spring implementation plan. 
• For Students’ Families: Opt into upcoming Family Info Sessions to inform family literacy partnerships. 
• For Educators: Check out the January ALL In Newsletter which includes a short welcome back activity for student goal-setting, flexible professional learning options, and celebrations and strategies from educators around the commonwealth.  

For additional information or to get connected with your Lexia Success Manager, contact vatutoring@lexialearning.com or visit Lexia’s Virginia ALL In Landing Page. 

As part of the Virginia Literacy Act, Kindergarten-Grade 8 educators are required to receive training in evidence-based literacy instruction aligned to science-based reading research. Educators have until the beginning of the 2025-26 academic year to complete the training.  Divisions must make every effort to ensure teachers complete their training by the training deadline.    

February is the final month to submit names of currently employed 2024-25 educators to be registered for the required Canvas training. Final submissions will be accepted via SSWS from February 1-7, 2025. When submitting the spreadsheet, please select the following name under the University of Virginia in the SSWS Dropbox application: Kimberly Bavis – Senior Instructional Technology Specialist. Please only include educators who have not already been submitted. For teachers hired after February, information will be forthcoming.  

Additional information on specific VLA requirements for different educator groups and science-based literacy training options can be found in the professional development section of the November Literacy Update.   

For additional information, please contact Keisha Tennessee, Computer Science Coordinator, at Keisha.Tennessee@doe.virginia.gov. 

The VDOE will conduct a virtual review of draft Reading and Mathematics Virginia Essentialized Standards of Learning (VESOL) to align with the 2023 Mathematics Standards of Learning and the 2024 English Standards of Learning (SOL). After the Math and English VESOL are finalized, they will be used to create Math and English test forms for the Virginia Alternate Assessment Program (VAAP) to evaluate the math and reading performance of eligible students with the most significant cognitive disabilities in Math and English. 

Special education directors and content supervisors are invited to nominate experienced Math and English teachers of students with significant cognitive disabilities to participate in this review. Teachers will be organized into elementary and secondary content teams. All meetings will be virtual, and specific details on meeting dates and times are to be determined. Meetings will be held in March 2025. 

Applicants should apply through the Virginia Department of Education SSWS application portal. All applications should be submitted by February 14, 2025. Interested applicants will receive a performance task on February 17, 2025, to complete by February 19, 2025, that will allow them to highlight their knowledge and expertise of the VESOL process and classroom application of essentialized standards. Selected nominees will be notified by February 24, 2025. If you have questions, please contact Colleen Cassada by email at colleen.cassada@doe.virginia.gov or by telephone at (804) 418-4683. 

Over the past several months, VDOE has received questions regarding whether student teaching and other field experiences must take place in Virginia. “Field experiences” is currently defined in 8VAC20-543-10 of the Board of Education’s Regulations Governing the Review and Approval of Education Programs in Virginia as follows:  

“Field experiences" means program components that are (i) conducted in off-campus settings or on-campus settings dedicated to the instruction of children who would or could otherwise be served by school divisions in Virginia or accredited nonpublic schools and (ii) accredited for this purpose by external entities such as accrediting agencies. Field experiences include classroom observations, tutoring, assisting teachers and school administrators, and supervised clinical experiences (i.e., practica, student teaching, and internships). Field experiences are required for all programs.”  

Field experiences conducted off-campus or on-campus must be accredited by an external entity such as regional accrediting agencies.    

After consultation with the Attorney General, field experiences do not need to be limited to experiences in Virginia only.    

The VDOE is seeking applications for the Dual Language/Immersion (DL/I) Resource Writing Committee. This committee, led by VDOE staff from the Office of Humanities, will develop a technical assistance document on Literacy and Biliteracy in Dual Language Programs. The document will include a literature review, background on the Virginia Literacy Act, guidance on literacy for diverse populations, and answers to frequently asked questions. 

The writing team will consist of 8-10 stakeholders, including teachers, administrators, and supervisors with experience in multilingual education, special education, gifted education, and the Virginia Literacy Act. Members will be selected based on expertise, regional representation, and experience in literacy and biliteracy development. 

Applicants should be educators with knowledge of dual language programs and literacy development. To apply, submit an online application by February 6, 2025. Applications require a professional reference and supervisor approval. Selected members will be notified by February 10, 2025. 

Committee meetings will be held virtually from February 18 to April 15, 2025. Members must commit to attending all meetings and will collaborate to write and review draft content for the document. Committee members will sign a Non-Disclosure/Conflict of Interest Agreement and will receive a certificate for recertification points (pending local approval) and recognition in the published document. 

For questions, contact Dr. Lisa Harris, World Languages Coordinator, at Lisa.Harris@doe.virginia.gov or Jo-el Cox, Coordinator of Multilingual Learner Instruction, at Jo-el.Cox@doe.virginia.gov. 

Updated SOL Practice Items are available for Grades 3-8 and End-of-Course Mathematics and Reading tests. These practice items will provide students an opportunity to become familiar with the types of test questions that will be administered to assess the 2023 Mathematics Standards of Learning and the 2024 English Standards of Learning in spring 2025. These practice item sets include new item types that will be field-tested in spring 2025. Field test items are used to collect data and do not count towards a student’s overall test score. Revised resource documents, Guided Practice Suggestions, accompany the updated mathematics and reading practice items to provide specific guidance for teachers or other adults in leading students through the questions. 

If you have any questions, please contact the Office of Assessment by email at student_assessment@doe.virginia.gov or by phone at 804-225-2102. 

Governor Youngkin presented his amended 2024-26 biennial budget on Wednesday, December 18, 2024, before a joint session of the Senate Finance and Appropriations, the House Appropriations, and the House Finance committees.  The Governor’s amended budget will be considered by the 2025 Session of the General Assembly, which convened on January 8, 2025.  Among the key recommendations in Governor Youngkin’s amended 2024-26 budget impacting public education funding include: 

• Updating Sales Tax and Lottery revenue estimates dedicated to public education in fiscal years 2025 and 2026; 
• State funding for College Partnership Laboratory Schools in FY 2025; 
• Increase to state appropriation for the School Construction Assistance Program in FY 2025 and FY 2026, and; 
• Provide state funding for Virginia Opportunity Scholarships in FY 2026. 

The Virginia Department of Education published a calculation planning template and budget information related to the Governor’s amended 2024-26 biennial budget.  Information can be found on the VDOE website.  VDOE may integrate technical update into the planning templates during the legislative session if necessary.  Divisions are encouraged to check the VDOE website for any technical updates to the budget planning tool. 

The General Assembly has provided $1,598,000 in funding for Virginia Tiered Systems of Supports (VTSS) for local educational agencies. The 2024-26 biennial budget approved funding to support the implementation of a tiered approach to support the behavioral and academic needs of students during fiscal year 2024-2025, beginning July 1, 2024, and ending June 30, 2025. These funds assist select schools with implementing a system of positive behavioral interventions and supports with the goal of improving school climate and reducing disruptive behavior in the classroom. Such a system may be implemented as part of a tiered system of support that utilizes evidence-based, systemwide practices to provide a response to academic and behavioral needs.  

Divisions selected to receive funding and the corresponding funding amounts are posted on the Virginia Tiered Systems of Support website. Funds were allocated following a competitive grant application process, with approved proposals submitted to VDOE, Department of Special Populations and Board Operations totaling $1,244,000. This is not a reimbursable grant, and funds are awarded in a lump sum to the select local educational agency. 

For questions related to your VTSS award or to submit materials, contact Japeira Keys, VTSS Specialist, by email at Japeira.Keys@doe.virginia.gov, or by telephone at (804) 418-4719. 

The Virginia Department of Education is pleased to announce the first iteration of the Grow Your Own Registered Principal Apprenticeships grant application. The VDOE, in partnership with the Department of Workforce Development and Advancement, was awarded competitive funding through the State Apprenticeship Expansion Funding (SAEF) issued by the U.S. Department of Labor.   

With this competitive subgrant opportunity, VDOE seeks to sponsor and fund high-quality principal registered apprenticeship models designed and implemented in partnership between school divisions and state-approved Educator Preparation Programs (EPPs). This opportunity provides competitive, reimbursement-based funding to cover all tuition, textbooks, licensure assessments, and fees on behalf of principal apprentice candidates selected by participating school divisions for participation in the GYO Principal Program.  

Information sessions will be facilitated by the National Center for Grow Your Own in February. School division and EPP personnel will receive additional information about how to register for these sessions via email.    

Proposals must be received by the VDOE by 4 p.m. on March 14, 2025. All responses must be submitted as directed in the Submissions Instructions section of the request for applications.   

Additional information about the program can be found in the Competitive Subgrant Request for Applications.  

National School Breakfast Week  

This year's NSBW theme, Clue In to School Breakfast, uncovers the benefits of a nutritious breakfast. NSBW promotional materials and resources are on the School Nutrition Association NSBW website.  

National Nutrition Month 

This year's NNM theme, Food Connects Us, highlights how food brings people together by connecting cultures, families, and friends. Visit the National Nutrition Month website for promotional materials and resources. For more details about these events, please see SCNP Director’s Memo #2024-2025-49. 

The deadline for the 2026 Mary V. Bicouvaris Virginia Teacher of the Year applications is quickly approaching—due by February 3. Superintendents (or designee) are encouraged to nominate one teacher for state-level recognition through the online 2026 Teacher of the Year Application portal. The superintendent (or designee) and the selected division teacher have the opportunity to collaborate within the SM_Apply application. The teacher will need to electronically sign the application, provide three references, and send an email via SM_APPLY to their superintendent and principal for selection confirmation. Completed applications are due by February 3 at 4 p.m.  

Visit the VDOE Educator Awards and Recognition webpage for more information and send questions to TeacheroftheYear@doe.virginia.gov.