Retaining documentation for expenditures related to the Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds (CSLFRF) grant is crucial to ensure compliance with federal regulations and accountability standards. Proper records provide evidence that funds were used in alignment with the grant’s objectives and guidelines. These records must also be made available to VDOE upon request to facilitate oversight and ensure adherence to state and federal requirements. Additionally, all documentation should be retained through June 30, 2032, to meet federal record-keeping requirements and support any potential audits. Maintaining these records reflects responsible stewardship of public funds and reinforces trust in the organization's management of federal resources. 

This guidance will be updated as required to remain in compliance with federal regulations related to these Funds. 

The Virginia Department of Education is calling on all school divisions to apply for the ALL In Division of Distinction award. This award celebrates the hard work of school divisions in implementing and successfully executing their ALL In plans. Those school divisions that have seen outcomes for students in attendance, literacy and math, and learning loss recovery should apply for this recognition. The department will use evidence and data from the application process to select ALL In Divisions of Distinction.  

Interested school divisions should complete the following application, submit the following evidence, and create a video to elevate their hard work. Submissions are due April 25, 2025.  

Specifications and requirements for the video: 

• Export the video in .mp4 or .mov format. 720p or 1080p resolution is recommended 
• Video should be produced in horizontal orientation (i.e., designed for computer screens and not phone screens). 
• Video should be 2-4 minutes in length. 
• For those with limited editing resources or expertise, please avoid using background music.  VDOE can provide music if desired. 
• If you include images of students, please ensure that all featured students have a proper media release or have not opted out of media consent.  

The Department will be featuring ALL IN Divisions of Distinction through the Spring and Summer.  

March is Literacy Month and the VDOE is excited to highlight engaging ways divisions can celebrate literacy in Virginia’s schools.  This is a time to celebrate the power of reading and encourage everyone to pick up a book and dive into the world of words. Throughout the school year, students across Virginia are constantly reading a variety of texts with accuracy, automaticity, appropriate rate, and meaningful expression. As students engage in reading grade-level text they’re becoming skilled readers with increasingly deep comprehension and motivation. Across the Commonwealth, educators are enhancing students reading fluency through:  

• Modeling fluent reading and modeling expression,  
• Echo reading,  
• Choral Reading,  
• Guided Oral Reading,   
• Paired or Peer Reading,  
• Repeated Reading.  

Continue to encourage families to utilize the resources found on the Virginia Department of Education website as well as the "Family Supports for Reading” in the Resource Hub.  

The VDOE Department of Special Populations and Board Operations has released its updated Functional Behavior Assessments and Behavior Intervention Plans: Guidelines for Effective Development and Implementation. This document has been updated based on guidance from the United States Department of Education. These guidelines also replace the 2015 version and aim to assist Virginia school divisions in implementing effective functional behavior assessment (FBA) and behavior intervention plan (BIP) processes to promote positive behavior, academic success, and overall student well-being and ensuring compliance with the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). The Functional Behavior Assessment and Behavior Intervention Plan: Guidelines for Effective Development and Implementation Module Series is a six-part series developed to expand on these guidelines to further support educators about function-based supports, including the use of FBAs and BIPs. 

The guidelines are designed to provide Virginia school divisions with practical recommendations and best practices for conducting FBAs and developing BIPs; however, it is not a comprehensive summary or a detailed framework for conducting an FBA or developing a BIP. School divisions should review and revise their existing local policies and procedures, as needed, to ensure consistent practices are in place to promote improved social and academic outcomes. 

School health data is imperative for policy development, allocation of resources, targeted interventions, and enhanced academic performance. Data tells a story, providing stakeholders with clear snapshots into student wellness and informing decisions regarding best practices. Adequate use of school health data can also lead to robust and comprehensive school health programs, improved health outcomes for students, and stronger healthier communities. 

The annual mandated school health data portal will open Tuesday, April 15, 2025. Annual mandated hearing and vision data along with collected school health data is entered through the Single Sign-on Web Systems. Please contact your school division’s SSWS administrator if you need assistance logging in. All data entries are due by close of business Monday, June 30, 2025. School nurse coordinators will receive an email with further information along with supplemental guidance for data entry Thursday, April 10, 2025. 

Purple Star Designation  

The application window for those schools seeking or renewing their Purple Star Designation for school year 2024-2025 will begin April 1, 2025, and close September 19, 2025. Schools can visit the Purple Star Designation webpage for more information on what is required to apply.

For more information on recognizing and celebrating military students, the Virginia Department of Education has developed resources that are available on the VDOE Military Families webpage.