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View this message online
 #2025-23 | Update for June 20, 2025
This Week's To-Dos:
Meeting Workforce Needs:
This Week's Articles:
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Virginia Board of Education
June 18 Meeting Recap
Top 5 Things to Know from this Week’s Board of Education Meeting:
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Unanimous support for the amended Governor’s School Application Process to improve the process for expanding merit-based regional schools.
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More than $83M investments in school construction projects, including $80M in modernization and new model builds benefiting 10 school divisions and 1 Regional CTE Center and more than $3.4M of reallocated FY2022/FY2024 funding to support three school division projects.
- The Board previewed possible additions to the School Performance and Support Framework, including additional advanced course options for middle schools, the inclusion of civics and history, and better capturing of English Learner growth, as well as an update on input opportunities for enhancements to the State School Quality Profiles. Learn more here!
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Unanimous support for the 2025-2026 VQB5 updates that clarify expectations for the field and strengthen VQB5’s impact on improved school readiness, including a new statewide “Honor Roll” to recognize top performing sites and sites who show significant annual improvement as part of the VQB5 Quality Profiles.
- The Board received first a historical overview and reviewed the draft Virginia School Accreditation Report, which focuses on inputs leading to vibrant school learning environments and safe conditions for students to thrive.
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Superintendent's Message
Virginia’s New Law is a Win for Students, Families,
and the Workforce
Virginia is stepping up with commonsense policy that empowers families and prepares young people for real-world success. Last year’s College and Career Ready Virginia law goes into effect in the 2025-2026 school year and is a course correction for our pipeline of learning opportunities. At the heart of this reform is an important, forward-looking strategy: expanding dual enrollment opportunities for students to earn college-level credits while still in high school. Dual enrollment is the way to provide opportunity, not limit it.
Across Virginia, more than 50,000 high school students a year earn college credit while in high school by participating in dual enrollment through partnerships between school divisions and Virginia’s community colleges. This is one of the smartest investments we can make in our youth. It gives motivated students a head start on higher education, offers meaningful savings on college tuition, and builds a stronger, more skilled workforce that’s ready for the demands of the modern economy. This provides our high school graduates the freedom to choose a path that works for them, whether that’s a four-year university, a technical degree, the military, or immediate entry into a well-paying career. When we equip young people with the tools to succeed both early and efficiently, everybody wins.
Through the College and Career Ready Virginia Program, cost barriers are coming down for families and public schools. Eligible students will gain no-cost access to the courses they need to earn a 15-credit Passport or a 30-credit Uniform Certificate of General Studies, both of which are widely accepted for degree credit across Virginia’s universities. In short, the cost of earning a bachelor's degree just got much cheaper for Virginia’s families. And, more Virginia students will have access to the life-improving power of dual enrollment leading to meaningful postsecondary credentials.
Another strength of the College and Career Ready Virginia law is that it respects local control while setting a strong statewide vision. Local school divisions still have the flexibility to tailor programs to their students’ needs, but now operate under a clear, more consistent framework that prioritizes access, rigor, and relevance. This law also encourages personal initiative, reduces government spending on duplicative education, and better aligns taxpayer-funded education with the needs of Virginia’s economy. This is an area of bipartisan agreement and for good reason: dual enrollment works. It serves students, strengthens families, and supports a healthier economic future for our Commonwealth.
We are excited to co-lead this effort with Chancellor David Doré of the Virginia Community College System and to expand opportunities for more high school students across the Commonwealth.
Emily Anne
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Highlights
News from Across the Commonwealth
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Thank you to the Greater Fredericksburg Chapter of Jack and Jill of America, Inc. for hosting a book drive and donating the books to Harrison Road Elementary in Spotsylvania County Public Schools! Thank you for encouraging the importance of reading for our students! #EverybodyReadsVA |
Congratulations to the 2025 Project SEARCH graduates! Project SEARCH is a collaboration with Chesapeake Regional Healthcare, the Choice Group, Virginia Department for Aging and Rehabilitative Services, VDOE, and other area partners to offer valuable on-the-job training to students with disabilities. Along with their internship work, the program provides skills training, career exploration and interview coaching in order to prepare participants for employment opportunities.
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Cell Phone-Free Education
LAST CALL: EDUCATOR INPUT NEEDED for Phones in Focus Survey
Article: 2025-23-309
Audience: Superintendents, School Principals, Teachers
Contact: Joseph Wharff, Director, Office of Behavioral Health and Student Safety, Joseph.Wharff@doe.virginia.gov
We are encouraging educators across the Commonwealth to share your thoughts in this national survey from Phones in Focus. This non-partisan research is led by the psychologist Angela Duckworth (University of Pennsylvania) and the economists Hunt Allcott and Matt Gentzkow (Stanford University) and is focused on providing school division superintendents and principals with evidence-based recommendations for school phone policies that optimally support academic learning, healthy social relationships, and emotional well-being. The Phones In Focus survey asks educators about their current and prior cell phone policies and enforcement. This data allows state and school division decision makers get a better understanding of school cell phone policies and their implementation across the Commonwealth.
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VA250
Save the Date: VA250 Reading Revolution – October 13-17
Article: 2025-23-308
Audience: Superintendents, Directors, School Principals, Teachers
Contact: Christonya Brown, History and Social Science Coordinator,Christonya.Brown@doe.virginia.gov
In partnership with the VA250 Commission, the Virginia Department of Education (VDOE) is proud to announce the Second Annual Reading Revolution. The Reading Revolution encourages reading and also seeks to connect museums, public libraries, and communities to our elementary students.
As we continue to commemorate the 250th Anniversary of the American Revolution, we invite and encourage parents, community members, museum educators, reenactors, students and staff of high schools, and higher education to take part in the Reading Revolution.
Save the date for Reading Revolution Week in Virginia, October 13-17, 2025, leading up to Yorktown Victory Day. This week will be designated for the Reading Revolution to encourage volunteers to read to students about the people, places, and events of the Revolutionary era, freedom and democracy, the Constitution, or civic principles that founded this great nation.
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Meeting Workforce Needs
Free Youth Mental Health First Aid Training Opportunities – Register by July 3
Article: 2025-23-310
Audience: Superintendents, Directors, School Principals, Non-teaching staff, School-based mental health professionals
Contact: Kristinne Stone, School Mental Health Grant Manager, Kristinne.Stone@doe.virginia.gov
You may contact Jennifer Fichthorn, Project Coordinator and Evaluator, VCE-COPE Program, jenniferf19@vt.edu, with questions or for more information.
3E Webinar Hosted by the VDOE Office of Accountability, Office of Data Services, and Office of Career and Technical Education - July 15
Article: 2025-23-315
Audience: Superintendents, Directors (Data, Accountability, Assessment), School Principals, Data Specialists
Contact: Susan Williams, Director of Data Standards and Governance, Susan.Williams@doe.virginia.gov
VDOE staff from the Office of Accountability, Office of Data Services, and Office of Career and Technical Education will host an hour-long webinar on the 3E framework on July 15, 2025, beginning at 10:00 a.m. Each component of the 3E framework along with the corresponding data sources or collections will be presented. Questions from the field are welcome.
Preregistration is required and a recording will be available to participants following the webinar.
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ALL In VA
2025-2026 Competitive Comprehensive Literacy Grants – Year 1 Cohort Continuation Application and Year 2 Cohort Application – Applications due August 15
Article: 2025-23-312
Audience: Superintendents, Directors, School Principals
Contact: Dr. Michelle Wallace, Assistant Superintendent of Instruction, Michelle.Wallace@doe.virginia.gov; Dr. Angela Byrd-Wright, Director of Humanities, Angela.Byrd-Wright@doe.virginia.gov
VDOE is pleased to announce both the 2025-2026 Literacy Grant (Year 1 Cohort Continuation) and 2025-2026 Literacy Grant (Year 2 Cohort) that will provide additional support and funding to ensure schools have expanded structures, tools, capacity, resources, and service providers to increase literacy growth and achievement for all students. VDOE is prioritizing three opportunities: family engagement literacy resources for birth through Kindergarten entry, the English Learner Literacy Network, and the Students with Disabilities Literacy Network.
Applicants are highly encouraged to register for the 2025-2026 Literacy Grant Information Session, July 2, 2025, 9-10 a.m. During this time, VDOE staff will review the application requirements and provide information for successful application submissions. Grant applications are highly competitive.
Applications will open beginning July 2, 2025, after the grant information session is held. A division may submit applications on behalf of their schools by no later than August 15, 2025, 3:00 p.m. The application should be submitted by one division-level employee and requires division point(s) of contact; acknowledgement of general assurances, administrative requirements, cost principles, and audit requirements for federal awards (uniform guidance); and a programmatic overview summary.
Optional office hours will also be held July 15, 2025, and July 22, 2025, to support divisions through the application process. Division points of contact must register in advance:
The VDOE will work through the division point(s) of contact for all matters related to the application process and notifications. Applicants submitting applications that are not awarded by the VDOE will be notified in writing. Grant notification emails will be sent by no later than mid-September 2025. Reference the 2025-2026 Literacy Grant Information Guide for additional details.
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School Performance & Support
K-12 Computer Science Implementation: Strategies and Guidance for Division Leaders
Article: 2025-23-316
Audience: Superintendents, Directors, School Principals, Teachers
Contact: Keisha Tennessee, Computer Science Coordinator, Keisha.Tennessee@doe.virginia.gov
In preparation of the 2025-2026 implementation of Virginia’s K–12 Computer Science Standards of Learning, the VDOE will host a four-hour workshop for division and school leaders. This informative and collaborative session will focus on the implementation of the 2024 Computer Science Standards of Learning and the development of sustainable models for K-12 computer science education that meet the Virginia Standard of Quality expectations.
The implementation workshop will include guidance from VDOE on the newly adopted 2024 Computer Science Standards of Learning, available supports, statewide data, and funding opportunities. In partnership with the VDOE, CodeVA will introduce the CS Ready Framework—a structured approach to help schools assess their current readiness for computer science implementation and develop actionable K-12 computer science implementation plans. The session will also highlight professional development opportunities and student programming resources available through CodeVA. The registration deadline is July 1, 2025.
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July 1: Spotsylvania (Spotsylvania County School Board Offices, 8020 River Stone Drive, Fredericksburg, VA 22407)
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July 9: Martinsville (New College Institute, 191 Fayette St., Martinsville, VA, 24112)
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July 16: Staunton (Location: The Center for Instruction and Professional Learning, 58 Cedar Green Road, Staunton, VA 24401)
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July 23: Newport News (Riverside College of Health Sciences, 316 Main St., Newport News, VA 23601)
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School Finance
Estimated State Allocations under the Strengthening Career and Technical Education for the 21st Century Act (Perkins V) for July 1, 2025 through June 30, 2026
Article: 2025-23-307
Audience: Superintendents, Directors
Contact: William Hatch, Associate Director, Program Administration, and Workforce Development, Office of Career and Technical Education, (804) 750-8163, cte@doe.virginia.gov
The VDOE has received the estimated state allocations under the Strengthening Career and Technical Education for the 21st Century Act (Perkins V) for school year 2025-2026. Virginia’s federal fiscal year (FY) 2025 Perkins funding allocation is $32,464,074
The grant award period is from July 1, 2025, through June 30, 2026; all funds must be expended or obligated by June 30, 2026. Reimbursement and budget transfer requests for Perkins funds must be submitted through the VDOE Single Sign-on for Web Systems (SSWS) portal using the Online Management of Education Grant Awards (OMEGA) application no later than September 30, 2026. All expenditures must be consistent with the approved Perkins local plan and budget for school year 2025-2026. Please refer to the attachments for school division funding allocations.
Documentation of any reimbursement claims must be retained in the school division and must be available for audit in accordance with state regulations governing the retention of financial records.
The Department will not begin approving submitted applications until official Grant Award Notifications for the previously mentioned programs are received from the United States Department of Education.
If you have questions concerning the state entitlements, please contact the Office of Career and Technical Education at (804) 750-8163 or cte@doe.virginia.gov.
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School Nutrition
Annual Financial Reports, USDA Non-Program Revenue Tool & SY 2024-25 School Food Safety Inspections – Due July 31
Article: 2025-23-313
Audience: Superintendents, School Food Authorities
Contact: Crystal Crutchfield, SNS, VDOE-SCNP Operations Coordinator, Crystal.Crutchfield@doe.virginia.gov
Annual Financial Report & Non-Program Revenue Tool
SFAs must submit the annual financial report and complete the USDA Non-Program Revenue Tool by July 31, 2025, at midnight. The annual financial report helps SFAs complete the Non-Program Revenue Tool. Review SCNP Director’s Memo #2024-2025-88 for more information and resources for completing these requirements.
School Food Safety Inspection Reporting
SFAs must report, in SNPWeb, the number of food safety inspections for SY 2024-25 by July 31, 2025. Review SCNP Director’s Memo #2024-2025-89 for the steps to report the food safety inspection information.
Strategies to Purchase Local Food for School and Community Nutrition Programs
Article: 2025-23-306
Audience: Purchasing agents of federally funded school nutrition programs, Nutrition program directors of SFAs, including school divisions, RCCIs, or private schools and community sponsors operating NSLP, SBP, FFVP, CACFP, SFSP, SSO, or SMP for children
Contact: Bee Thorp, SCNP Lead Farm to School Specialist, Brittany.Thorp@doe.virginia.gov or Sara Hazan, SCNP Farm to School Specialist, Sara.Hazan@doe.virginia.gov
On May 6, 2025, USDA Food and Nutrition Service published USDA memo SP 11-2025, CACFP 09-2025, SFSP 05-2025 Using Federal Funds to Purchase Local Foods. This memo reiterates and summarizes the strategies SFAs and community sponsors can use to purchase local food and enhance their farm to school programs. USDA encourages SFAs and community sponsors to purchase local food to the extent practicable to support community health and healthy choices, increase markets for American farmers, and invest federal dollars in local economies.
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Data Collection
ATTENTION: Updated Collection Dates for SY2024-2025 SOQ Compliance Reports
Article: 2025-23-311
Audience: Division Superintendents
Contact: Erin Madden, Senior Policy Analyst, Erin.Madden@doe.virginia.gov, 804-314-4900
Collection dates for the SY2024-2025 SOQ Compliance Reports have been updated to reflect recent Board actions as well as member feedback from the June 18, 2025, State Board of Education meeting. The updated SOQ Compliance Collection dates for SY24-25 are as follows:
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No later than August 15, 2025 – All school divisions must complete the data submission via the SSWS portal.
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No later than August 29, 2025 – The SOQ Compliance Verification Report must be printed and signed by both the local superintendent and the school board chair. After signature, scan the verification and email it to erin.madden@doe.virginia.gov.
In addition to updated collection dates, please note that Section 2: “Supplemental Reporting Requirements” has been removed from this year’s SOQ Compliance report to reflect the newly bifurcated school reporting system consisting of: 1) SOQ Compliance; and 2) School Accreditation. Additional information related to School Accreditation reporting requirements and expectations, including a draft SY24-25 School Accreditation Report questions, can be found via the June Board item.
VDOE guidance documents as well as departmental webpages will be updated to reflect these changes in the upcoming week. Please reach out to Erin Madden, Senior Policy Analyst, at erin.madden@doe.virginia.gov, (804) 314-4900 with any additional SOQ-related questions or concerns.
2025-2026 Positions and Exits Collection Summer Survey
Article: 2025-23-314
Audience: Superintendents, IT/Data and Division HR Personnel
Contact: Myesha Garnes, Education Data Specialist, (804) 750-8156, Myesha.Garnes@doe.virginia.gov
The VDOE is conducting a brief survey to determine the potential number of teacher vacancies for the 2025-2026 school year. For the purposes of this collection, vacancies (actual or anticipated) include any teaching positions that are unfilled, held by a board-certified substitute, or by an individual without appropriate licensure credentials. The data will be used to gauge teacher recruitment efforts and provide an early look at teacher vacancies as of the first day of school.
A training webinar will be held on June 24, 2025, at 10:00 am to review the requirements for the End-of-Year PEC and the PEC Summer Survey. The PEC Summer Survey will be open and accessible through the Single Sign-on for Web Systems (SSWS) portal on Monday, July 14, 2025, and is due on Monday, July 21, 2025. Please note that the PEC Summer Survey will require Superintendent or Director electronic signature via SDCA beginning this year. Each school division and regional center must complete the verification process by Friday, July 25, 2025.
For questions regarding the PEC Summer Survey, please contact Myesha Garnes, Teacher Data Specialist in the Office of Data Services at Myesha.Garnes@doe.virginia.gov. For questions related to teacher licensure and endorsements, please contact Dr. Bryan Jackson, Director of the Office of Licensure, at Bryan.Jackson@doe.virginia.gov.
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