In a time when trust and transparency between families and schools are more important than ever, two federal laws stand as cornerstones in protecting the rights of both students and their families: the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) and the Protection of Pupil Rights Amendment (PPRA). These acts do more than just safeguard data – they empower parents to take an active role in their children’s education.  

Parent and guardian involvement in their child’s education is vital – and federal law protects their role.  

FERPA ensures that parents have the right to access their child’s education records and limits the sharing of this sensitive information without consent. This creates a partnership of accountability between schools and families, allowing parents to stay informed and engaged in their child’s academic growth while giving students a safe environment to learn and develop.  

Meanwhile, the PPRA plays a crucial role in protecting students from invasive surveys and data collection. It ensures that parents are fully involved, informed, and able to consent before their child is asked to share personal information on topics like political beliefs, mental health, family practices, or religious affiliations. In an age where information can be quickly spread of misused, this act shields students from inappropriate probing and preserves family privacy.  

Together, FERPA and PPRA represent more than just legal frameworks – they share our shared values of parental involvement, student dignity, and educational integrity. These laws serve as a reminder that education is not a one-way street, but a collaborative partnership where schools and families work together to support the next generation.  

At a time when debates over curriculum, data privacy, and student rights often make headlines, it is worth remembering that laws like FERPA and PPRA already exist to protect both children and the partnership between parents and schools. Empowering parents to engage and ask questions is not just a right – it’s an essential part of building trust and ensuring a healthy educational environment.  

To assist local education agencies in complying with FERPA and PPRA, the U.S. Department of Education’s Protecting Student Privacy office has created some model forms:  

FERPA 

• A Parent Guide to FERPA 
• An Eligible Student Guide to FERPA 
• FERPA Model Notification of Rights for Elementary & Secondary Schools 
• April 23 from 2-4 pm ET: USED National Webinar on FERPA 201 and Transparency – scenarios faced by schools and districts and highlights the Privacy Technical Assistance Center’s research on transparency 
• April 30 from 2-4 pm ET: USED National Webinar on Incident Response and Vetting Educational Technology – participants will be led through a simulated data breach and explores how to assess online educational technology for privacy protections and general FERPA compliance 

PPRA 

• PPRA General Guidance 
• PPRA Model General Notice of Rights 
• PPRA Model Notice & Consent Opt-Out for Specific Activities 

In June 2026, Norfolk, Hampton Roads, and Virginia’s Chesapeake Bay region will welcome an international fleet of tall ships, military vessels, and character ships to commemorate America’s 250th anniversary. This milestone event, Sail250® Virginia, will include more than 60 ships from 20 countries, bringing 7,000 visiting sailors, officers, and dignitaries to Virginia’s shores. 

Sail250® Virginia events are planned to promote goodwill among nations, inspire patriotism and foster interest in American maritime history and heritage. Virginia educators are encouraged to take advantage of the Sail250® Virginia education program which includes three elements – the successful Adopt-A-Ship program, a collection of online maritime resources, and suggested maritime themed classroom projects. Transportation grants will be available to participating schools helping to offset the cost for those schools to visit Norfolk for the June 2026 events. Please see the information pamphlet on the Sail250 History/Education webpage for more information about the Adopt-A-Ship program and how to get involved. 

If you are interested in involving your school in the Adopt-A-Ship program, please complete the attached Adopt-A-Ship Interest Form and return it via email to Pamela Cook, Education Manager Sail250® Virginia, cookp@festevents.org. 

The VDOE is pleased to offer science professional learning opportunities for Kindergarten through Grade 12 teachers to support continued implementation of the 2018 Science Standards of Learning and effective science instruction. Two sustained, synchronous, virtual professional development courses will be offered this spring.   

Offering 1: Discourse in the Science Classroom 

This course will focus on building a classroom environment that promotes meaningful classroom discourse. Participants will evaluate lessons to include opportunities for students to communicate their understanding of scientific concepts through critiquing and providing feedback, revising their thinking, and reaching consensus. The course will meet on Wednesday from 7:00 p.m. to 8:15 p.m. on May 7, May 14, May 21, May 28, and June 4.  

Offering 2: Lesson Planning to Improve Student Engagement and Outcomes 

This course will focus on creating lesson plans that increase student engagement and ownership using research-based lesson design. Participants will evaluate lessons and include opportunities for students to engage, explore, explain, elaborate, and evaluate their understanding of scientific concepts and practices. The course will meet on Thursday from 7:00 pm. to 8:15 p.m. on May 8, May 15, May 22, May 29, and June 5. 

Teachers must be willing to commit to all five sessions in order to participate. Each course will be limited to 30 teachers and participants will receive a stipend of $500 for attending all courses and completing the required assignments. A certificate for 15 hours will be provided to teachers reflecting the hours required in the course.  

Interested teachers should fill out the application form by April 24. Selected participants will be notified no later than April 29.

World Language supervisors and lead teachers are invited to participate in monthly discussions on topics related to world language leadership and supervision and the impact of each topic on teaching and learning. Sessions will take place virtually on the second Tuesday of each month, 10-11 a.m.  

Participants will register once and select the sessions of interest from the following topics: 

• April 22, 2025: Seal of Biliteracy  
• May 13, 2025: Legislative Updates and End of Year Wrap-up  

The History and Social Science Department is pleased to announce the release of the history and social science instructional guides. Instructional guides are companion documents to the 2023 History and Social Science Standards of Learning – amplifying each standard by defining the core knowledge and skills in practice, supporting teachers and their instruction, and serving to transition classroom instruction from the 2015 History and Social Science Standards of Learning to the newly adopted standards. School Division History and Social Science curriculum should include a variety of information sources, readings, learning experiences, and forms of assessment selected to create a rigorous instructional program. 

Instructional guides include five distinct sections, now inclusive of dynamic and interactive components: Changes and Revisions, Understanding the Standard, Supporting Questions, Skills in Practice, and Concepts and Connections aligned to each standard.   

United States History to 1865 and United States History: 1865 to the Present will be released on Friday, April 18 with the dynamic and interactive components. Next week, the following instructional guides will be released:   

Educators should continue to monitor the History and Social Science webpage for additional information. VDOE staff will provide regional professional learning sessions through multiple means to ensure that teachers and those that support them (e.g., principals, central office personnel, directors) will learn about the purpose, intention, structure, content, and context for implementation. Further announcements of such training will be provided in upcoming Virginia Education Update newsletters.  

To support school divisions’ continued implementation of the Virginia Literacy Act, VDOE has released an extensive update on the VLA. In this edition of the Literacy Update, newly approved supplemental and intervention guides and materials are included for division planning purposes.     

• Instructional Materials  
• Use of VALLSS and Student Reading Plans  
• Professional Development  
• Planning  
• Reference Charts for Planning 

Superintendents are asked to share these resources with key literacy staff and principals.  

VDOE is proud to announce the 2025 Computer Science Champions, recognizing outstanding educators who have demonstrated exceptional commitment and innovation in K-12 computer science education. 

As the 2024 Computer Science Standards of Learning move into full implementation for the 2025-2026 school year, the VDOE acknowledges the critical role educators play in fostering computational thinking and digital literacy.  

The 2025 Computer Science Champions are recognized across the following categories: 

• 6th-8th Grade: Sarah Noffsinger, Chesapeake Public Schools
• 9th-12th Grade: Yvette Lee, Henrico County Public Schools
• Administrators & Counselors: Deborah Crawford, Frederick County Public Schools
• ITRT/STEM Coaches: Sandra Wilfong, Chesapeake Public Schools 

These educators are recognized for their ability to inspire curiosity, foster critical thinking, and nurture problem-solving abilities. They are not only teaching students to code; they are teaching them to create, to innovate, and to think beyond the conventional. They open doors to endless possibilities, preparing the next generation to tackle the challenges of tomorrow and to seize the opportunities of the future. 

The virtual announcement for the 2025 Computer Science Educator of the Year will take place May 8, 2025, at 11:00 a.m.  We invite you to join us as we formally announce one of the CS Champions as the 2025 Computer Science Educator of the Year. Registration is required to attend the event.  

For more information about computer science education in Virginia, please visit the VDOE’s Computer Science webpage.   

The Office of Assessment is accepting applications for standard setting committees for the Reading and Mathematics Standards of Learning (SOL) tests. Standard setting is necessary because of the implementation of new tests based on updated Standards of Learning. 

The committee meetings will be held at the Virginia Crossings Hotel & Conference Center in Glen Allen, Virginia, on the following dates: 

• Mathematics: June 9-11 
• Reading: June 11-13 

The standard setting committees are responsible for recommending performance level cuts that not only reflect students’ achievement status but also promote high expectations for all students in Virginia. The recommendations will be considered by the Board of Education as part of a broader, comprehensive process for establishing performance level cuts. Committee members selected will be expected to sign and adhere to a Non-Disclosure/Conflict of Interest Agreement and be present for each day of the committee.  

Educators interested in participating on a standard setting committee must complete an online application. Embedded in the application is an expert task that all educators must complete in order to be considered for a committee. Applications must be submitted no later than Thursday, April 24, 2025. Please refer to these documents, Mathematics Standard Setting Information for Educators and Reading Standard Setting Information for Educators, for detailed information and criteria. 

If you have questions, please contact the assessment staff at Student_Assessment@doe.virginia.gov or (804) 225-2102. 

The Office of Assessment is accepting applications for community members to serve on standard setting committees for the Reading and Mathematics Standards of Learning (SOL) tests. Standard setting is necessary because of the implementation of new tests based on more rigorous Standards of Learning. Virginia community experts, including higher education partners, college faculty, industry leaders, small business owners, and parents/guardians, play a critical role in supporting the implementation of Virginia’s assessment system and are encouraged to apply. he committee meetings will be held at the Virginia Crossings Hotel & Conference Center in Glen Allen, Virginia, on the following dates: 

• Mathematics: June 9-11 
• Reading: June 11-13 

The standard setting committees are responsible for recommending performance level cuts that not only reflect students’ achievement status but also promote high expectations for all students in Virginia. The recommendations will be considered by the Board of Education as part of a broader, comprehensive process for establishing performance level cuts. Committee members selected will be expected to sign and adhere to a Non-Disclosure/Conflict of Interest Agreement and be present for each day of the committee.  

Community members interested in participating on a standard setting committee must complete an online application. Applications must be submitted no later than Thursday, April 24, 2025.  

If you have questions, please contact the assessment staff at Student_Assessment@doe.virginia.gov or (804) 225-2102. 

The new SOL tests that measure the 2024 English SOL and the 2023 Mathematics SOL are being assessed during the spring 2025 test administration window. As in previous spring test administrations when new test forms have been administered for the first time, the statistical process of equating is required to ensure the level of achievement on the new test forms is consistent with the previously administered test forms. 

The new test forms for Grades 3-8 Reading and Mathematics, online and paper forms, have been pre-equated and scores for these assessments will not be delayed. No Science SOL tests, and no History and Social Science SOL tests will require equating; scores for these tests will report without delay. 

End-of-Course (EOC) tests for Reading and Mathematics must be post-equated and school divisions testing early in the spring 2025 window may experience a delay in receipt of scores. The tests to be equated are listed below:  

• EOC Reading (2024 SOL only): all online and paper test forms 
• EOC Algebra 1 (2023 SOL only): all online and paper test forms 
• EOC Geometry (2023 SOL only): all online and paper test forms 
• EOC Algebra 2 (2023 SOL only): all online and paper test forms 

Equating cannot occur until a sufficient number of tests are completed. Based on the time required for equating during previous test administrations, school divisions should not anticipate scores on these new test forms to be available until mid-May.  

SCAP: School Construction Assistance Program: SCAP FY 25 application deadline is April 18, 2025.  

SCAP FY22 and SCAP FY23: Awarded funds had to be obligated within six months of the award.  Awardees whose projects have not started must provide a statement to VDOE within one month of this notification stating their intent to implement their projects, including a project start date and completion date.  

School Security Equipment (SEGM): The reimbursement applications deadline is June 30, 2025. Reimbursement applications not submitted by that date cannot be reimbursed. School division staff are invited to attend one of the two SEGM Teams webinars listed below.  

• Session # 1: Thursday April 24, 2025, 9:00 a.m.-10:00 a.m.
  • April 24 Meeting Link
  • Meeting ID: 291 701 826 143 2 Passcode: 8BJ7HQ7C 

• Session # 2: Thursday May 1, 2025, 10:00 a.m.- 11:00 a.m.
  • May 1 Meeting Link
  • Meeting ID: 255 798 176 552 5 - Passcode: Gg3Ca3mQ

FY 2024 School Safety and Security Grants :  The FY 2024 general fund grant expenditure deadline is June 30, 2025. To ensure appropriate use of the state fund allocation, superintendents must periodically submit the required Expenditure Certification Form . The federal fund grant allocations located on VDOE’s OMEGA application in SSWS must be expended by December 31, 2025. 

M-R FIX: The deadline to submit completed workbooks and templates is May 12, 2025. 

Supporting Americas School Infrastructure (SASI): The $5M SASI grant will enable VDOE assist identified high need LEAs in facility condition assessments. A VDOE consultant will help conduct building assessments, provide training to Virginia’s school divisions facility staff, and assist in building a school condition data storage dashboard. The stored data will be available to school divisions in maintenance and capital planning.  

The Virginia Board of Education (Board) is seeking nominees for a vacancy on the Board’s Advisory Committees. A full list of open seats is available on the VDOE website.    

Please note that, by state or federal law or regulation, some of the vacancies on advisory committees require specific categories of expertise, qualifications, or geographic representation (map of the VDOE Superintendent’s Regions).  

Members of advisory committees do not receive compensation for their service but may be reimbursed for travel expenses in accordance with state travel guidelines set forth by the Department of Accounts.    

Educators, parents, administrators, and other individuals are invited to apply by completing this nomination form by 5 p.m. on Friday, May 2, 2025.    

The Virginia Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services (DBHDS) is offering school divisions a no-cost opportunity to train up to four staff members in the Youth Mental Health First Aid (YMHFA) Train-the-Trainer course. This initiative aims to increase the number of educators equipped to identify and respond to mental health and substance use challenges among youth ages 12–18. 

Certified trainers will be required to teach at least three YMHFA courses per year to maintain certification. Space is limited—only 16 participants per class, so early registration is encouraged. 

Two virtual training options are available: 

• Option 1: Four-day course (includes initial YMHFA certification) 
  • Day 1: Initial certification 
  • Days 2–4: Trainer course 
• Option 2: Three-day course (for those already YMHFA certified) 
  • Must have a current YMHFA certification to enroll 
  • Days 1-3: Trainer course 

Please complete this information form by COB on Friday, May 2nd, 2025 in order to be eligible to sign up for YMHFA Train the Trainer Courses. This opportunity is funded by DBHDS and does not affect existing School-Based Mental Health funding.  

The Office of Behavioral Health and Student Safety is hosting the Promoting Wellbeing and Reducing Absenteeism Webinar April 28, 2025, 2:45-3:45 p.m. This presentation emphasizes the critical role of data in identifying chronically absent students who are in need of intervention. Additionally, it will address how data is utilized to monitor progress and assess the effectiveness of interventions in reducing chronic absenteeism.  

Those interested in attending can register via the Promoting Wellbeing and Reducing Absenteeism registration form. A recording will be made available to all registrants.  

National Drug Take Back Day is Saturday, April 26, 2025, from 10-2 p.m. As a safe and preventative measure to keep unused prescription medications away from children, the Drug Enforcement Administration is hosting this event for the safe disposal of unneeded medications. 

Individuals can return expired, unused, or unwanted prescription drugs at a designated collection site without questions.  

Participating locations are found on the DEA Collection Site Locator webpage. 

Please encourage families to participate in this event.