Join VDOE for ongoing professional learning and support for the implementation of the 2024 English Standards of Learning continuing next week, August 13, 2025, with “Purposeful Planning Meetings.” Registration is required in advance for all sessions. Additional professional learning topics and session dates are provided in the registration form. 

This virtual opportunity will provide an interactive chance for literacy coaches and leaders supporting planning to drive deeper and more meaningful conversations during planning meetings, ensuring that the questioning and tasks within each division’s adopted core align with grade-level expectations outlined in the 2024 English Standards of Learning. This session will offer interactive opportunities for coaches and leaders to examine their division-adopted HQIM and prepare planning structures that support alignment with grade-level expectations in the 2024 English Standards of Learning. Purposeful planning meetings support teachers, build educator capacity, and ultimately propel student achievement. 

Join us next week by completing this registration form. 

In partnership with the VA250 Commission, the Virginia Department of Education 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. 

Reading Revolution Week in Virginia, October 13-17, 2025, leads up to Yorktown Victory Day for communities to come together in support of learning more about our state and country. 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. 

Use this form to declare your participation. Visit the Virginia American Revolution 250 Commission | Virginia Department of Education webpage for helpful tips to get your Reading Revolution started.  

In partnership with VDOE, Virginia Literacy Partnerships has developed, piloted, and completed year one of a new Pre-K through Grade 3 literacy screener, the Virginia Language & Literacy Screening System (VALLSS). VALLSS reflects current science-based reading research, and results from VALLSS provide educators with information to deliver targeted reading instruction to all students who are screened. 

The VALLSS End of Year Statewide report is now available on Data Reports | Virginia Literacy Partnerships. Educators will find data interpretation resources on VAConnects > Resources > Data Interpretation. In this report, information on Bands of Risk and Instructional Indicators are presented and summarized, including information on changes in Bands of Risk from Fall to Spring. 

On July 31, 2025, the Virginia Board of Education adopted revisions to the Model Policy Concerning Internet Safety, reinforcing its commitment to safe, healthy, and forward-thinking learning environments. Superintendents and school boards are encouraged to review the updated policy and consider local adoption. The revised policy reflects input from a wide range of stakeholders, including the ICAC Taskforce, Virginia PTA, VASS, VAESP, VAASL, FIRE, Children and Screens, Virginia Teachers of the Year, and the VDOE AI Advisory Committee. 

Key updates include: 

• AI Safeguards: Guidance on defining authorized AI tools, protecting student data, and integrating AI literacy. 
• Professional Development: Training for educators on responsible AI use and phishing prevention. 
• Student Training: Foundational instruction before internet access to meet CIPA requirements and promote digital citizenship. 
• Collaborative Instruction: Defined roles for teachers, librarians, and ITRTs to ensure consistent delivery. 
• Digital Wellness: Screen time guidelines for elementary schools to support balance and well-being. 

The Homebound Instruction Services Data Reporting for the school year 2024-2025 will be collected through the VDOE Single Sign-on for Web Systems (SSWS) portal. The data requested must include each homebound teacher’s license number, hourly rate of payment, and number of hours worked. In addition, to process any online instruction reimbursements, the license number of the teacher monitoring online homebound instruction is required. 

The data must be submitted electronically through SSWS. The window for submission of reports will open on August 18, 2025, and will close on September 12, 2025. Late reports will not be accepted. A printed report mailed to the VDOE is not required. Please note that any data entered before the initiation date will be lost when the system opens. It is critical that school divisions meet the submission deadline to ensure timely reimbursement from fiscal year 2025 state funds.   

Individuals who will be entering data but do not have a current homebound password will need to contact the SSWS Account Manager designated for their respective school division. If you have any questions, please contact Amy Edwards, Medicaid Specialist, VDOE Office of Behavioral Health and Student Safety, by telephone at (804) 750-8695 or by email at Amy.Edwards@doe.virginia.gov. 

The VDOE-SCNP is hosting identical training sessions for the At-Risk Afterschool Meals component of the Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) on August 26, 2025, and September 11, 2025, from 1–3 p.m.  All sponsoring organizations planning to operate CACFP At-Risk Afterschool Care in FY 2025–2026 must attend one of the sessions. The school nutrition program director must attend for SFAs and the executive director or program contact must attend for community organizations. Registration links are in SCNP (Dir.) Memo 2025-26-03. 

The FY 2025–2026 CACFP application renewal will be available in SNPWeb on August 25, 2025. Any sponsoring organization that plans to claim CACFP meal or snack reimbursements for October 2025 must have an approved fiscal year 2025–2026 application renewal by October 31, 2025. Applications in the “submitted” status are not considered approved by VDOE-SCNP and claims may not be submitted for reimbursement until the application is in the “approved” status.  

As a reminder, the Code of Virginia §22.1-207.4:2 requires eligible schools to participate in the At-Risk portion of CACFP.  

Refer to SCNP (Dir.) Memo 2025-26-03 for additional information on the FY 2025–2026 application renewal. 

This past year, the VDOE Office of Advanced Learning collaborated closely on a two-year project with Blue Ridge PBS to produce a series of engaging videos showcasing each of the Academic Year Governor’s Schools on their Education, Community, Health, and Opportunity (ECHO) TV channel. The first nine videos were designed to highlight the unique programs, student experiences, and academic opportunities offered by these prestigious institutions. The remaining ten videos will follow the same format and will be filmed during the 2025-2026 school year.  

The current videos have had almost 2,400 views since publication earlier this summer and include the following AYGS sites:

• Appomattox Regional Governor’s School,
• Chesapeake Bay Governor’s School,
• Commonwealth Governor’s School,
• Governor’s School for the Arts,
• Massanutten Governor’s School,
• Roanoke Valley Governor’s School,
• Southwest Virginia Governor’s School,
• The Governor’s School at Innovation Park, and
• The Governor’s School of Southside Virginia. 

Published videos are also available on the Academic Year Governor’s School webpage.