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 #2025-27 | Update for July 25, 2025
Latest Federal Updates:
This Week's To-Dos:
Meeting Workforce Needs:
This Week's Articles:
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Latest Federal Updates
Leveraging Federal Grant Funds to Improve Education Outcomes Through Artificial Intelligence (AI)
Article: 2025-27-375 Audience: Superintendents, Directors, School Principals, Teachers Contact: Calypso Gilstrap, Associate Director of the Office of Educational Technology and Classroom Innovation, Calypso.Gilstrap@doe.virginia.gov
On July 22, the U.S. Department of Education sent a Dear Colleague Letter (DCL) to grantees and future grantees on leveraging federal grant funds to improve education outcomes through Artificial Intelligence (AI). This guidance outlines how AI may be used across key educational functions, articulates principles for the responsible use of AI, and affirms that such uses are allowable under existing federal education programs, provided they align with applicable statutory and regulatory requirements.
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Lunch & Learn Series - Federal Grants Strategies and Solutions
Article: 2025-27-374 Audience: Superintendents, School Division Finance Directors, School Division Finance Staff, Federal Grant Coordinators Contact: Staci Longest, Deputy Superintendent of Budget and Finance, Staci.Longest@doe.virginia.gov
VDOE is happy to announce a Lunch and Learn Webinar Series to support superintendents, school finance officials, and relevant grant staff with strategies, best practices, and technical supports for existing federal grants. Sessions will be hosted on the following dates and can be accessed with the links below.
Title IV, Part B Allocations
We are happy to report Title IV, Part B funding allocations were released from USED on Monday, July 21st. Please reference the Superintendent’s Email dated July 21st for more information.
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Get to Know Newest Top Talent @ VDOE
Sara Bennett joined the Virginia Department of Education in June as the Director of the Office of School and Community Nutrition Programs. As part of her work in this role, Bennett will oversee the planning, implementation, and evaluation of nutrition programs across public schools in the Commonwealth to ensure compliance with federal and state regulations while also promoting healthy eating habits for students. She brings extensive experience in administering Child Nutrition Programs at the state, local, and national levels. She has served in three state agencies in Colorado and Virginia, cultivating expertise in program policies and regulations, training development and implementation, grant management, technical assistance, and program compliance with state and federal regulations.
Most recently with the Child Nutrition Programs at U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) national office, she led numerous training and technical assistance projects—most notably championing stronger local school food systems and partnerships through her leadership on the Healthy Meals Incentives Initiative’s School Food System Transformation Challenge Grants, earning a USDA Secretary Honor Award in 2024. In her previous role as the Assistant Director for Alexandria City Public Schools’ School Nutrition Services, she supported the division’s efforts to elevate student meals through scratch cooking, kitchen modernization, and workforce development, including staffing and training. Bennett earned a master’s degree in human nutrition from Colorado State University, is a Registered Dietitian, and holds the School Nutrition Specialist (SNS) credential.
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Highlights
News from Across the Commonwealth
The Commonwealth Day of Play is a statewide celebration designed to bring classic play back into children’s lives. From sack races to getting muddy and running wild with friends, we’re reviving the joy of field day fun and community spirit.
We’re calling on everyone—parks, schools, businesses, and neighborhoods—to come together and get kids outside, active, and playing the way childhood was meant to be.
Join us at Taylor Farm Park on August 9, 2025 from 10:00 AM–4:00 PM or celebrate in your own community!
Ready to join the movement?
Use the resources below to help spread the word, plan your event, and bring back the joy of unplugged, outdoor fun.
Let’s reclaim childhood—unplug, go outside, and play. #CommonwealthDayOfPlay
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Teachers from Pulaski County Public Schools recently traveled to the University of Montana to participate in a professional development opportunity on the Lewis & Clark Expedition and Western Expansion as part of the Wilderness Education Program in collaboration with the Gilder Lehrman Institute. #ElevateEducatorsVA |
School may be out for summer but learning and adventure never stop!
Three educators in Rockingham County Schools are joining 13 James Madison University educators for a study abroad experience. They recently had the opportunity to tour the European Commission and got a behind-the-scenes look at the press desk, where international news and policy take center stage. What a powerful reminder of how global perspectives enrich classroom learning! #ElevateEducatorsVA
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Virginia Board of Education Opportunities
Governor's Student Advisory Board – Applications Open!
Article: 2025-27-373 Audience: Superintendents, Directors, School Principals, Teachers Contact: Cooper Conway, Senior Policy Analyst for the Office of the Governor, Cooper.Conway@governor.virginia.gov
Governor Youngkin and Secretary Guidera are excited to announce that applications for the 2025-2026 Governor’s Student Advisory Board are now open! The Governor’sStudent Advisory Board is a highly competitive group comprised of one student from every Superintendent’s Region in the Commonwealth. The Board works closely with the Virginia Department of Education to provide student perspectives and plays a vital role in the creation of policy concepts with Virginia Board of Education.
Students are chosen based on demonstrated academic achievement and passion for educational policy issues. The students will pick an education topic of their choosing and present suggested policy solutions to the Virginia Board of Education.
The application opened July 15 and is due September 15. Applications are open to any rising high school senior. The Governor’s Student Advisory Board will meet from 5pm to 7pm on the second Tuesday of each month beginning in October and will present to the Board of Education at the Summer meeting (date TBD). The application is available on the Secretary of Education website.
We hope that you will share this with your division and spread the word about this great opportunity for rising high school seniors! Please visit our website for any additional information, or feel free to reach out with any questions.
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Meeting Workforce Needs
New Web-Based Opportunities for AI and Career Advancement
Article: 2025-27-368 Audience: Directors, Teachers Contact: Calypso Gilstrap, Associate Director of the Office of Educational Technology and Classroom Innovation, Calypso.Gilstrap@doe.virginia.gov
Virginia educators now have a powerful new tool at their fingertips, thanks to a statewide initiative aimed at preparing residents for the future of artificial intelligence. Governor Glenn Youngkin unveiled the Virginia Has Jobs AI Career Launch Pad, a web-based platform developed in partnership with Google to help Virginians explore and train for high-demand careers in AI and technology.
The platform offers a curated selection of free and low-cost courses, bootcamps, and degree programs. Teachers across the Commonwealth are encouraged to take advantage of these resources—not only to upskill professionally, but also to bring AI literacy into their classrooms.
Educators can apply for scholarships to cover Google’s AI Essentials courses and Career Certificates in fields such as cybersecurity, data analytics, and project management. These credentials are designed to be job-ready and accessible, with 70% of graduates reporting career advancement within six months.
For teachers, the implications are far-reaching. By engaging with the platform, they can:
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Integrate AI concepts into lesson plans
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Model digital fluency and lifelong learning
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Prepare students for ethical and innovative use of emerging technologies
Virginia educators interested in exploring these opportunities can visit VirginiaHasJobs.com/AI to enroll, apply for scholarships, and begin their journey into the future of education and technology.
Foundations for Reading and Foundations of Writing English Professional Development Begins Next Week for Division Leaders and Teachers
Article: 2025-27-367 Audience: Superintendents, Directors, School Principals, Teachers, Reading Specialists Contact: Jill Nogueras, Associate Director of English Literacy K-12, Jill.Nogueras@doe.virginia.gov
The Office of English is pleased to announce that the ongoing professional learning to support the implementation of the 2024 English Standards of Learning begins next week, July 30, 2025. Registration is required in advance for all sessions. Additional professional learning topics and session dates are provided in the registration form.
The first Foundations for Reading and Foundations for Writing session will dive into the progression and rigor outlined in the Kindergarten-Grade 5 Foundations for Reading (FFR) and Foundations for Writing (FFW) Standards.
Participants will then have the opportunity to plan alignment with division-adopted High-Quality Instructional Materials (HQIM) will support the development of foundational skills and ensure consistency with grade-level expectations outlined in the Foundations for Reading and Foundations for Writing standards. This approach helps ensure that all students are equipped to reach their full potential.
Graduation Pathways for Students with Disabilities and the Standard Diploma: Webinar for School Counselors
Article: 2025-27-366 Audience: School Counselors Contact: Sarah Bazemore, Behavioral Health & Instructional Supports Coordinator, Sarah.Bazemore@doe.virginia.gov
School counselors are invited to attend the Graduation Pathways for Students with Disabilities Webinar on August 7, 2025, from 9:30-10:30 a.m.
This webinar will highlight the vital role that school counselors play in clarifying and streamlining the process of using credit accommodations to help students with disabilities earn a standard diploma. In response to the 2024 General Assembly’s passage of SB220 and HB1089, the Virginia Board of Education has been directed to ensure students with disabilities receive high-quality instruction and specialized support from well-prepared educators to improve both academic and postsecondary outcomes. A key component of this legislation is to foster a shared understanding among educators, students, and families regarding the effective implementation of credit accommodations.
Science Professional Learning Webinars for Teachers and Leaders
Article: 2025-27-365 Audience: Superintendents, Directors, School Principals, Teachers Contact: Laura Casdorph, Science Coordinator, Laura.Casdorph@doe.virginia.gov
The Office of STEM is pleased to announce ongoing professional learning to support the implementation of the 2018 Science Standards of Learning. There is one webinar series for teachers and another series for school and division leaders. Divisions that do not have a direct science supervisor are encouraged to identify a key instructional leader (or an elementary leader and a secondary leader) who can attend the series and share the information with other leaders in the division. This may include teacher-leaders, assistant principals, or other division leaders who will be able to share information out to a larger audience or lead professional learning. Registration is required in advance for all webinars.
Science Teacher Support Series
Webinars offered monthly to support science teachers. Webinar dates, topics, and registration links for the fall are below. More details about each topic can be found at the registration link.
Science Leader Support Series
Webinars offered monthly to support division-level science leaders. Webinar dates, topics, and registration links for the fall are below. More details about each topic can be found at the registration link.
World Language Supervisor Tuesday Virtual Meetings
Article: 2025-27-364 Audience: World Language Supervisors, World Language Lead Teachers Contact: Dr. Lisa Harris, Coordinator of World Languages, Lisa.Harris@doe.virginia.gov
In an effort to keep World Language Supervisors informed and to discuss topics of interest for World Language professionals, VDOE will be offering monthly outreach sessions. VDOE invites divisions which may not have a supervisor dedicated to World Language to identify a World Language Lead Teacher or designated leader who can attend sessions and take back relevant information.
Sessions will take place virtually on the second Tuesday of each month, 10-11 a.m. and will include topics related to world language leadership and supervision and the impact of each topic on teaching and learning.
Participants will register once and select the sessions of interest from the following topics:
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August 12, 2025: New Supervisor Orientation and Updates
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September 9, 2025: Orientation and Informational Sessions for the SSWS system and Governor’s World Language Academies
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October 14, 2025: Governor’s World Language Academies
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December 9, 2025: World Language Standards of Learning
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January 13, 2026: Seal of Biliteracy
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February 10, 2026: Graduation Requirements
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March 10, 2026: SCED codes
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May 12, 2026: Legislative and General Updates
Using Instructional Routines with Secondary English Learners to Build Literacy and Language Development in the Content Classroom – August 13
Article: 2025-27-363 Audience: Curriculum Specialists, English Learner Teachers, Content Teachers, Instructional Coaches Contact: Jo-el Cox, Coordinator of Multilingual Learner Instruction, Jo-el.Cox@doe.virginia.gov
In this 90-minute webinar, to be held August 13, 2025, 3:30 p.m., participants will learn how to use instructional routines that support student engagement and the development of academic language in their classrooms. A focus on strategies for building background and developing vocabulary within unit and lesson plans for grades 6-12 will support the development of English language literacy for students who are minimally literate in their home language. Register here for the webinar via Zoom.
Required Training for Newly Hired Reading Specialists (2025–2026)
Article: 2025-27-362 Audience: Superintendents, Directors, School Principals, Teachers, Reading Specialists Contact: Jill Nogueras, Associate Director of K-12 English & Literacy Jill.Nogueras@doe.virginia.gov and Virginia Literacy Partnerships literacy@virginia.edu
VDOE and VLP are excited to welcome newly hired K-8 Reading Specialists for the 2025–2026 school year! To fulfill the requirements of the Virginia Literacy Act, VLP will host one-day, in-person training sessions focused on evidence-based literacy instruction aligned to science-based reading research for all new K-8 Reading Specialists.
Please review the following eligibility guidelines:
- Only newly hired Reading Specialists should attend.
- Reading Specialists must have a primary role working directly with students to be eligible.
- If a Reading Specialist is transitioning between grade levels (e.g., from elementary to middle school) and has already completed a previous in-person training with VLP, then they are not eligible to attend again.
School divisions are responsible for arranging travel, hotel accommodations, and covering any related expenses for attendees.
Training capacities were determined based on projected staffing numbers submitted by division leaders last spring. We appreciate each division’s support to ensure that only eligible, newly hired Reading Specialists are registered so we can accommodate all who need the training. Registrants will be directed to one of the following locations and dates according to the division entered in the registration survey:
- Manassas – September 3rd
- Virginia Beach – September 9th
- Richmond/Chesterfield – September 15th
- Charlottesville – September 16th
- Radford – October 20th
If a division is still in the process of hiring for one or more Reading Specialist positions, please email literacy@virginia.edu to indicate how many seats should be reserved.
VLP will send details regarding lunch, parking, directions, etc. to those registered as the date approaches.
VDOE Medicaid Modules for School Leaders
Article: 2025-27-361 Audience: Superintendents, Directors, School Principals Contact: Amy Edwards, Medicaid in Schools Specialist, Amy.Edwards@doe.virginia.gov
The VDOE in collaboration with the Virginia Department of Medical Assistance Services has developed three Medicaid and Schools modules designed for school division superintendents, finance officers, school nurse coordinators, and school health specialists. These modules — Overview for Division Superintendents, Financial Overview, and School Nurse Coordinator/Health Specialist — provide information and resources that school leaders need to support Medicaid implementation in the school division, ensure compliance, and maximize reimbursement for schools. Additional information and resources related to the Medicaid school-based services program is available on the VDOE Medicaid and Schools web page.
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ALL In VA
EveryDay Labs Statewide Attendance Contract
Article: 2025-27-360 Audience: Superintendents, Directors Contact: Dr. Alexandra Javna, School Social Work Specialist, Alexandra.Javna@doe.virginia.gov; or Scott Magazine, Director of the Office of Procurement, Scott.Magazine@doe.virginia.gov
The VDOE has established an optional-use contract with EveryDay Labs, a program focused on helping educators improve student attendance through evidence-based strategies. This optional-use contract is available for school divisions to use at their discretion, with no direct funding from VDOE. By conducting this procurement on behalf of school divisions, VDOE streamlined the process and ensured compliance with state and local requirements.
The statewide contract with EveryDay Labs is intended to support school divisions in delivering attendance improvement services, including actionable data analytics, effective communications, and ongoing staff training, which will help the Commonwealth to continue moving in the right direction for attendance and student success. School divisions interested in partnering with EveryDay Labs will need to identify their own local funding sources. Interested divisions can review the Attendance Recovery Services (HB30) Contract and can schedule a meeting with EveryDay Labs via the EveryDay Labs interest form.
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Teaching & Learning
Announcing the Launch of a New Season of Virginia Roots
Article: 2025-27-359 Audience: Superintendents, Directors, School Principals, Teachers Contact: Kelly Bisogno, Fine Arts Coordinator, Kelly.Bisogno@doe.virginia.gov; Sherry Hatton, Fine Arts Specialist, Sherry.Hatton@doe.virginia.gov
The Virginia Department of Education Fine Arts Program is excited to announce the launch of Virginia Roots: A Journey Through Virginia Craft, a new series produced by Blue Ridge PBS in collaboration with VDOE. This series highlights Virginia's craft traditions and the individuals who are preserving them today. The series is intended for use in Virginia classrooms to show traditions and modern connections of basket weaving, engraving, pottery, gourd art, and quilting. The episode guide features connections to Virginia's Standards of Learning, discussion prompts, and links to sample lessons created by Virginia educators.
Additionally, VDOE hosted a webinar on July 17, 2025, to provide further details about the series, and a recording of the webinar is available. One Virginia teacher shared, “I am excited to include Virginia artists and history into some of the lessons that I already use. The videos are a fabulous resource.”
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School Finance
FY2025 Annual School Report
Article: 2025-27-369 Audience: School Division Finance Directors Contact: Ed Lanza, Director of Budget, Edward.Lanza@doe.virginia.gov
The 2024-2025 Annual School Report (ASR) must be submitted to the Virginia Department of Education by September 15, 2025, as required by Section 22.1-81, Code of Virginia. School divisions and regional programs that wish to file for an extension (until September 30, 2025) for their 2024-2025 ASR must, per Section 22.1-81, Code of Virginia, submit a written request signed by the division superintendent, or designee, to Christina Berta, Chief Operations Officer, to the email address: DOEBUDGETOFFICE@doe.virginia.gov, prior to the September 15, 2025, deadline. The submitted extension letter must cite a good cause reason/need for the extension of time. Please note that the signed extension letter must be attached as a .pdf file to the email, with “2024-2025 ASR EXTENSION” in the subject line of the email.
Each school division and regional program will use the Web-based Single Sign-on for Web Systems (SSWS) portal to access, download, and submit the 2024-2025 ASR Excel template and text file to the Department. Instructional and resource documents are located within the SSWS application. Once a division has successfully completed the 2024-2025 ASR in the ASR application in SSWS, the division superintendent or designee will approve and certify the Superintendent’s Verification Report through the Superintendent’s Data Collection Approvals (SDCA) application.
The collection window will open in mid-August. If you have any questions about the ASR data collection process, please contact the Budget Office at DOEBUDGETOFFICE@doe.virginia.gov or (804) 225-2025.
Release of July 1, 2024 School-Age Population Estimates
Article: 2025-27-358 Audience: School Division Finance Directors Contact: Ed Lanza, Director of Budget, Edward.Lanza@doe.virginia.gov
Pursuant to Section 58.1-638, Code of Virginia, the Weldon Cooper Center for Public Service at the University of Virginia has prepared the July 1, 2024, school-age population estimates. These estimates will be used to update the fiscal year (FY) 2027 sales tax revenue distribution estimates to school divisions in the Governor’s introduced 2026-2028 biennial budget, to be released in December 2025.
The July 1, 2024, school-age population estimates are open to review and inquiry until September 30, 2025, at which time they become final. School divisions and localities may inquire about a revision to their estimates provided certain criteria as established by the Weldon Cooper Center are met.
To participate in the review process, division and locality representatives should review their school-age population estimates, the methodology documents, and the Review/Inquiry Process description, available on the Weldon Cooper Center website.
The Weldon Cooper Center contact for questions is:
Please carefully review the proposed estimates of your school-age population and keep in mind the end of the review process on September 30, 2025, at which time the estimates become final.
IDEA, P.L. 119-4, 2025-2026 Part B Flow-Through Sections 611 and 619 Subgrant Awards for Special Education
Article: 2025-27-357 Audience: Division Finance and Special Education Staff Contact: Tracie Coleman, Director of Special Education of Finance and Budget, Tracie.Coleman@doe.virginia.gov
The 2025-2026 Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) Part B (Sections 611 and 619) Flow-Through federal allocations for school divisions and state operated programs (SOPs) that qualify based on submission of an approvable 2025-2026 annual plan are now available. The Section 611 subrecipient awards of $117,777,553 were made available on July 1, 2025, and $227,962,232 will be available for awards on October 1, 2025. The full allocation for Section 619 Flow-Through funds was made available as of July 1, 2025, through the reimbursement process to school divisions and SOPs that have submitted an approvable annual plan.
The 2025-2026 IDEA Part B Flow-Through Funding document includes comprehensive details about funding allocations, reimbursement procedures, and additional required special terms and conditions for grant awards or cooperative agreements.
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School Nutrition
Mandatory Webinar for School Year 2025-2026 Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program Funded Schools – July 31
Article: 2025-27-372 Audience: Superintendents, School Principals, School Food Authorities Contact: Katy Harbin, Nutrition and Wellness Specialist, VDOE-SCNP Katy.Harbin@doe.virginia.gov
The Virginia Department of Education, Office of School and Community Nutrition Programs is allocating Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program (FFVP) funds to 161 schools serving 73,350 students for school year 2025-2026.
FFVP provides funding to eligible elementary schools that participate in the National School Lunch Program and is intended to create healthier school environments by:
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providing healthier food choices,
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expanding the variety of fruits and vegetables students experience,
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increasing student fruit and vegetable consumption, and
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improving overall student diet and future health outcomes.
The VDOE-SCNP must allocate FFVP funds to schools with the highest percentage of free and reduced-price eligible students. This year, schools with 88.1% or more free or reduced-price eligible students will be funded at $75 per student enrolled.
Funding allocations for July-September and October-June will be entered into SNPWeb for each school by July 31, 2025. If a school does not effectively utilize its FFVP funding, technical assistance will be provided. Schools may be asked not to apply for FFVP the following year if a significant amount of funding is unspent at the end of the school year.
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Early Childhood
Introduction to VQB5 for New Program Leaders Webinar - August 7
Article: 2025-27-370 Audience: Superintendents, Directors, School Principals, Child Care Center Operators, Teachers, Non-teaching staff Contact: Lucy Mitzner, Improvement Strategy Lead, Lucy.Mitzner@doe.virginia.gov
On August 7, VDOE will be hosting a webinar for site leaders who are new to VQB5. The webinar will provide an overview of the required VQB5 participation activities and will address frequently asked questions to help sites prepare for the upcoming VQB5 year. This webinar will be recorded.
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Webinar: Introduction to VQB5 for New Program Leaders
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Date: Tuesday, August 7 at noon
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Register
Virginia Preschool Initiative FY26 Final Slot Allocations
Article: 2025-27-355 Audience: Superintendents, School Principals, VPI Coordinators Contact: Tiffanie Meehling, Associate Director of Preschool Programs, Tiffanie.Meehling@doe.virginia.gov
The final number of allocated VPI slots for the 2025-2026 school year is now available online. This allocation reflects all requests for expansions and enhancements, including redistribution of slots, wait list slots, 3-year-old slots, and community provider add-on slots. Note that slots for 4-year-olds and 3-year-olds are funded and awarded separately and cannot be exchanged for each other.
As a reminder, Virginia Preschool Initiative programs are funded based on student enrollment on October 1, 2025, as reported in the fall 2025 Student Record Collection (SRC) based on available funding. Prorated funding for slots filled for the first time between October 2, 2025, and December 31, 2025, may also be available pending available funding.
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VDOE Careers
VDOE Job Vacancies
Article: 2025-27-354 Contact: VDOE Office of Human Resources,
The Virginia Department of Education is hiring. Access the list of our current job openings to learn more and apply for the following positions:
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