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Superintendent's Message
Protecting Our Kids: Building Classrooms and Schools Where Every Child Thrives
Across Virginia, parents, teachers, and communities share a common goal: to give our children the best possible start in life. That means creating classrooms and learning spaces this school year where every student feels safe, respected, and is prepared for life. We want schools that inspire learning, foster friendships, and prepare students to thrive in the world beyond the classroom.
We know the challenges are real. Antisemitism, harassment, and other forms of discrimination have no place in our schools, and recent incidents remind us that we can’t take safety and respect for granted. It is our job as teachers, educators, neighbors, coaches, and parents to uphold these core values. This means clear standards, fair enforcement, and uniting around a mission of having truly discrimination-free schools.
On May 19, 2025, Governor Youngkin signed Executive Order 48 — “Combating Antisemitism and Anti-religious Bigotry in Virginia Public Schools and Institutions of Higher Education.” This landmark directive reaffirms the Commonwealth’s commitment to safe, inclusive learning environments and empowers parents and communities across the state. EO48 reflects the spirit of unity and responsibility that parents, teachers, and communities already share. It rounds out the optimistic vision outlined above with practical tools that: 1) empower families and local leaders to clearly define unacceptable behavior and enforce it fairly; 2) equip educators with top-tier, accurate instructional materials that teach our history fully and truthfully; and 3) establish strong reporting and tracking systems that mean no incident slips through the cracks.
Along with recent executive action at the federal level, together these steps help ensure that every Virginia child — regardless of faith, heritage, background, or identity, experiences learning environments where they are safe, respected, and encouraged to excel.
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Meet Virginia Board of Education Member Antione Green
On July 18, 2025, Governor Youngkin appointed Mr. Antione Green to the Virginia Board of Education to a term ending on June 30, 2029. This appointment is part of the Governor’s ongoing larger efforts to ensure educational excellence in the Commonwealth. Mr. Green brings to the Board years of leadership experience related to innovation and public charter schools. Mr. Green co-founded the Patrick Henry School of Science and Arts in Richmond and serves as the school's Chairman. From 2010 to 2015, Mr. Green was a Virginia Commissioner to the Education Commission of the States. He has also served the Virginia Board of Education as a member of the Public Charter School Standing Committee.
In addition to his service in areas related to education, Mr. Green’s civic service includes being a former president of the Richmond Crusade for Voters and leadership roles in the Southside Community Development and Housing Corporation and Richmond Heritage Federal Credit Union.
Mr. Green is a graduate of Hermitage High School in Henrico and has a Bachelor’s Degree in Government Relations and Legal Studies from Virginia Commonwealth University. He resides in Richmond – VDOE Superintendent’s Region 1. When asked why he serves on the Virginia Board of Education, Mr. Green cited his ongoing belief in the power of education and innovation to positively impact the lives of students and open new opportunities for them.
When asked why he serves on the Virginia Board of Education, Mr. Green cited his "ongoing belief in the power of education and innovation to positively impact the lives of students and open new opportunities for them."
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Get to Know Newest Top Talent @ VDOE
Michael Lafon joined the Virginia Department of Education in June as the Talent Acquisition and Compensation Programs Manager in the Department of Human Resources. With over ten years of experience in Talent Acquisition across both public and private sectors, he is eager to create a best-in-class experience for everyone considering VDOE as a top choice for employment. Michael comes to VDOE from the private sector, most recently working at two software companies in the Richmond area. He also has prior state agency experience from his time at the Virginia Department of Transportation. He has created highly efficient and successful talent acquisition programs and has led compensation enhancement efforts in multiple sectors. In those roles, Michael was responsible for overseeing the efforts in hiring of over 100 new roles in a single year, establishing first-of-their-kind HR metric dashboards, and leading the HR function through a multimillion-dollar acquisition. He is also a recognized talent sourcing leader, previously finishing third in a nationwide sourcing competition.
Michael holds both bachelor's and master's degrees from Virginia Tech (Go Hokies!). His approach to talent acquisition and compensation is collaborative, where he seeks to partner with stakeholders in different disciplines to understand the depth of needs for different hiring teams, and uses behavioral analysis techniques to find and select highly qualified individuals who also have personal characteristics that make them excel in the work that they do. In his spare time, Michael loves all kinds of sports and enjoys following the weather. His undergraduate degree is in Meteorology, and he has been storm chasing in the Midwest, witnessing eight tornadoes up close.
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Highlights
News from Across the Commonwealth
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Welcome back to school Virginia! VDOE wishes all of our amazing school divisions, students, staff, and teachers across the Commonwealth a wonderful new school year! |
Congratulations to Chesterfield County Public Schools on the opening of Davis Elementary! Families, teachers, and community members recently gathered to have the first looks of the two-story building that will accommodate up to 1,000 students in prekindergarten through fifth grade. The new school will welcome its first students on August 18 at the start of the 2025-26 school year. |
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Two students from Loudoun County, Arjun Gayam and Sidharth Yenireddy, created a low-cost college prep website called Opporly, using artificial intelligence to help students with various aspects of the college application process. At just $70 a year, the platform offers services like SAT study help, college essay feedback, passion project planning, and application tracking. It already has 3,000 users and aims to expand across the U.S., making college prep more accessible to all high school students. The site also partners with businesses to offer internship opportunities, providing a valuable resource for both students and employers. Read more here.
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ALL In VA
Free Zearn Training for Virginia Teachers and Leaders
Article: 2025-30-404
Audience: Superintendents, Directors, School Principals, Teachers
Contact: Vickie Bohidar, Mathematics Coordinator, Victoria.Bohidar@doe.virginia.gov
ALL In Tutoring continues through 2025-2026, including the use of Zearn in mathematics, with 104 school divisions opting into this statewide personalized tutoring option. During the school year, all school divisions can receive live training from the Zearn team at no cost to support strong implementation and drive impact with students. School division leaders should contact their Zearn representative to schedule live training for teachers and leaders.
Additionally, all educators whose school divisions have opted into Zearn Math can access Zearn’s on-demand Curriculum Study PD content at no cost, directly from their Zearn account. Each session reviews teaching strategies related to specific math objectives, supporting educators in planning instruction that engages all learners. Explore PD with Zearn.
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Opportunities & Events
2026 Virginia Outstanding Middle and High School Principals and Assistant Principals of Virginia Award
Article: 2025-30-406
Audience: Superintendents, Directors, School Principals, Teachers
Contact: Olivia Hampton, ohampton@vassp.org
The Virginia Association of Secondary School Principals annually recognizes four outstanding school leaders in Virginia – one outstanding middle school principal and one outstanding high school principal; one outstanding middle school assistant principal and one outstanding high school assistant principal – who have demonstrated success in leadership, curriculum, personalization and contributions to the profession. Their interactions with fellow administrators, teachers, students and parents impact education and student achievement in exceptional ways.
Do you have an outstanding school leader that you would like to recommend for recognition? Specifically, someone who has demonstrated impactful efforts for at least three years; who led a major project or program for the betterment of their school or division; or who strategically included stakeholders in unique and insightful ways.
VASSP is now accepting recommendations until October 1 for candidates who display these strong attributes as school leaders.
All recommendations are sent directly to the VASSP Principal Awards Committee for initial review. Selected principals and assistant principals will be formally invited in October to apply for the award. After a thorough screening process, including personal interviews, names of finalists are submitted to the VASSP Board of Directors for final approval.
Once selected, the Outstanding High School Principal of Virginia, Outstanding Middle School Principal of Virginia, along with the Outstanding Middle School Assistant Principal of Virginia and Outstanding High School Assistant Principal of Virginia will be recognized at the 2026 Virginia Middle and High School Principals Conference & Exposition. Use this form to recommend a principal and/or assistant principal today!
2026 United States Senate Youth Program Scholarship Opportunities for High School Juniors and Seniors
Article: 2025-30-407
Audience: Superintendents, Directors, School Principals, Teachers, High School Counselors
Contact: Christonya Brown, Coordinator of History and Social Science, Christonya.Brown@doe.virginia.gov
The United States Senate Youth Program (USSYP) is a national nonpartisan initiative to provide an annual opportunity for talented high school students with demonstrated leadership abilities to deepen their understanding of America’s political processes and strengthen their resolve to pursue careers in public service. The VDOE will select two student delegates to represent Virginia in the 64th Annual United States Senate Youth Program (USSYP) sponsored by the William Randolph Hearst Foundation. Each delegate will receive a $10,000 scholarship and an all-expense paid trip to Washington, D.C., for the week of March 7-14, 2026, for Washington Week.
Students interested in applying will complete an application and submit two essay responses. Building administrators will be asked at a later time to certify the student’s application. The top candidates will be invited to interview with a panel of judges appointed by the VDOE and also take the Public Affairs examination prepared by the Hearst Foundation. Final selection will be based on the student application, essay responses, examination results, outstanding academic performance, and demonstrated qualities of leadership and community service.
Detailed information about the program may be found on the VDOE USSYP website. There are very specific qualifications and expectations for candidates selected as delegates. VDOE strictly adheres to the USSYP program qualifications and expectations outlined by the Hearst Foundation.
Applications may be accessed and submitted online via the Online Student Application Portal beginning Friday, August 15, 2025. Applications and essays are due by 5 p.m. EST on Tuesday, September 30, 2025, through the application portal.
2025 October Farm to School Events and Opportunities
Article: 2025-30-405
Audience: Superintendents, Directors, School Principals, Child Care Center Operators, Teachers, Non-teaching staff, School Food Authorities and/or community sponsors
Contact: Sara Hazan, SCNP Farm to School Specialist, Sara.Hazan@doe.virginia.gov
VDOE's Office of School and Community Nutrition Programs encourages school divisions and community sponsors to celebrate Farm to School events throughout National Farm to School Month (October) and Virginia Farm to School Week (October 6–10, 2025). Register for the Crunch Heard ’Round the Commonwealth on October 9, 2025, to join Virginians across the Commonwealth in making noise for Virginia Farm to School programs by biting into a fresh, Virginia apple on the same day. Review SCNP Director’s Memo #2025-2026-04 for additional information about Farm to School celebrations, grants, and professional development opportunities.
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Innovation
Internet Safety Webinar for School Leaders and Support Specialists
Article: 2025-30-410
Audience: Superintendents, Directors, Instructional Technology Resource Teachers
Contact: Calypso Gilstrap, Executive Director, Office of Innovation, Calypso.Gilstrap@doe.virginia.gov
The Office of Innovation invites school leaders and support specialists to join us on Tuesday, August 26, from 10 – 11 AM for an instructional webinar focused on strengthening internet safety across Virginia schools. Whether you're refining existing protocols or exploring new approaches to technology integration, this session offers practical tools and timely guidance to help you lead with confidence.
This webinar will highlight essential strategies and resources aligned with the newly revised Model Policy Concerning Internet Safety. Participants will gain a clear understanding of their responsibilities and explore actionable ways to enhance instructional planning and schoolwide practices.
Webinar Highlights Include:
We look forward to supporting your efforts in creating safe, informed, and innovative learning environments for all students. The webinar will be recorded. Registration is required.
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Instruction Implementation, Support & Evaluation
The NEW Virginia Standards Satchel 2025-2026
Article: 2025-30-411
Audience: LIEP Teachers, Teachers, Curriculum Specialists, Instructional Technology Resource Teachers (ITRT), Title III Coordinators, Content Coordinators, School Administrators
Contact: Jo-el Cox, Coordinator of Multilingual Learner Instruction, Jo-el.Cox@doe.virginia.gov
The Virginia Department of Education is pleased to announce the launch of the Virginia Standards Satchel. The Virginia Standards Satchel is a web application designed to streamline the alignment of the WIDA English Language Development Standards with the Virginia Standards of Learning for English, History and Social Science, Mathematics, and Science.
This format provides all educators and leaders with readily accessible and aligned competencies, skills, and standards that are needed to support the instruction of English learners in the four core content areas. With this alignment, educators can confidently design instruction that fosters both language development and academic success across content areas. Satchel benefits all teachers as division and school leaders can utilize the Satchel during professional learning communities and training to support planning and delivery of instruction. Further, divisions can use the Satchel to inform the development of the local curriculum.
Information on the Virginia Standards Satchel will be shared with participants during the Fall Webinar Series on the Second Wednesday of each month (except November), 4 p.m. The focus is on implementing the WIDA English Language Development Standards Framework, 2020 edition. Join us here: Registration Link.
Participants are asked to register in advance.
VDOE Grades K-5 STEM Webinar Series
Article: 2025-30-409
Audience: Superintendents, Directors, School Principals, Teachers, Reading Specialists, ITRTs
Contact: Anne Petersen, STEM Director, Anne.Petersen@doe.virginia.gov
The Office of STEM is pleased to announce a fall professional learning series designed to support the implementation of the 2018 Science Standards of Learning and the 2023 Mathematics Standards of Learning utilizing and integrated instructional approach with the 2024 Computer Science Standards of Learning. Registration is required in advance for all sessions.
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Making the Most of Instruction Using an Integrated STEM Approach to Learning
September 10, 2025, 4:00 p.m.- 5:00 p.m.: Registration form
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Diving Deeper into the Computer Science, Mathematics, and Science Standards of Learning and Instructional Resources
September 24, 2025, 4:00 p.m.- 5:00 p.m.: Registration form
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Applying the Data Cycle as an Integral Part of STEM Learning
October 8, 2025, 4:00 p.m.- 5:00 p.m.: Registration form
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Using Modeling to Develop and Assess STEM Discipline Content Mastery
October 22, 2025, 4:00 p.m.- 5:00 p.m.: Registration form
These sessions are designed to support K-5 teachers, instructional leaders, Instructional Technology Resource Teachers, and designated STEM educators with integrated instruction.
Implementation of New Standards of Learning Test Blueprints Based on the 2023 History and Social Science Standards of Learning
Article: 2025-30-403
Audience: Superintendents, Directors, School Principals, Teachers, Instructional Supervisors for History and Social Science/Humanities, Division Directors of Testing (DDOT and DDOT2)
Contact: Office of Assessment, student_assessment@doe.virginia.gov
The Virginia Board of Education adopted the 2023 History and Social Science Standards of Learning in April 2023. New assessments measuring the 2023 History and Social Science Standards of Learning (SOL) will be administered for the first time in the spring 2026 test administration. To support preparation for these assessments, new test blueprints are available online.
Practice Opportunities for Students
Practice test questions aligned to the 2023 History and Social Science SOL will be available in late fall 2025. These SOL Practice Items will provide students an opportunity to become familiar with the types of test questions administered as part of these new tests.
Practice test questions may be accessed online via the SOL Practice Items (All Subjects) web page or the installable TestNav 8 application. See the TestNav 8 System Requirements for information on system requirements and instructions for downloading the application. Guided Practice Suggestions will accompany the practice test questions to provide specific guidance for teachers or other adults to lead students through these items. School divisions will be notified when these practice items become available.
Implementation of New Standards of Learning Test Blueprints for Earth Science and Chemistry Based on the 2018 Science Standards of Learning
Article: 2025-30-402
Audience: Superintendents, Directors, School Principals, Teachers, Instructional Supervisors for Science, Division Directors of Testing (DDOT and DDOT2)
Contact: Office of Assessment, student_assessment@doe.virginia.gov
New science assessments measuring the 2018 Science Standards of Learning (SOL) will be administered for the first time in the spring 2026 test administration for end-of-course (EOC) Earth Science and EOC Chemistry. To support preparation for these assessments, new test blueprints are available online.
Practice Opportunities for Students
Practice test questions aligned to the 2018 Science SOL for EOC Earth Science and EOC Chemistry will be available in late fall 2025. These SOL Practice Items will provide students an opportunity to become familiar with the types of test questions administered as part of these new tests.
Practice test questions may be accessed online via the SOL Practice Items (All Subjects) web page or the installable TestNav 8 application. See the TestNav 8 System Requirements for information on system requirements and instructions for downloading the application. Guided Practice Suggestions will accompany the practice test questions to provide specific guidance for teachers or other adults to lead students through these items. School divisions will be notified when these practice items become available.
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Behavioral Health & Student Safety
First Day of School Attendance Practices
Article: 2025-30-401
Audience: Superintendents, Directors, School Principals, Attendance Specialists, School Social Workers, School Counselors
Contact: Alex Javna, School Social Work Specialist, Alexandra.Javna@doe.virginia.gov
The VDOE recognizes the efforts of school divisions in improving student attendance. As a reminder, if a student is expected to attend on the first day of school but does not report, outreach should begin promptly. The goal of this timely intervention is to re-engage the student and determine the family’s plan for the student’s education. Interventions may include phone calls, text messages, home visits, or mailed letters. These efforts should occur prior to the 15-day withdrawal threshold to support re-entry and to ensure student safety and well-being. The VDOE provides resources to support school divisions in addressing chronic absenteeism on the VDOE School Resources web page.
State Telehealth Contract
Article: 2025-30-400
Audience: Superintendents, Directors, School Principals, Non-teaching staff, School-based mental health professionals
Contact: Martha Montgomery, Evaluation, Eligibility, and Related Services Specialist, Martha.Montgomery@doe.virginia.gov
In accordance with HB30 Item 117 #1c, the VDOE has established an optional-use contract with ten companies that provide mental health services to students in grades 6-12 using a telehealth delivery model. HB1945 directed each school board to consider developing and implementing policies for permitting students to participate in telehealth services.
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. Statewide contracts have been secured with the following:
Opportunity for Funding Telehealth Services
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Data Collection: Gifted Students
SSWS Collection Window for 2024-2025 Gifted Annual Report
Article: 2025-30-408
Audience: Superintendents, Directors
Contact: Kevin Carr, Specialist for Gifted Education and Governor’s Schools, Office of Advanced Learning, Kevin.Carr@doe.virginia.gov
Per the Code of Virginia §22.1-18.1, local school divisions are required to submit an annual report of the programs offered to students who have been identified as gifted.
The 2024-2025 annual report, Programs for the Gifted, will be collected through the Gifted Education application in the Virginia Department of Education's Single Sign-On Web Systems (SSWS) portal. Access to the Gifted Education application in SSWS is required to complete this report. Access should be requested through the school division’s SSWS administrator by the end of August. This will allow ample time for report completion.
Gifted education coordinators can search the SSWS database for information submitted by the school division for school years 2006-2007 through 2023-2024. After September 26, 2025, the 2024-2025 data will also be searchable by school division gifted education coordinators.
This application will collect administrator data and program services data. The division's student membership and referral data will be drawn from the school division's end-of-year student records collection. If the school division has not yet submitted the end-of-year student records data, the application will display a message indicating that the user may not proceed until the school division's student records data are submitted.
After entering the data, each division coordinator must submit the report through SSWS for the division superintendent's electronic signature. The superintendent will need to provide an electronic signature to approve the report, with a final version submitted to the VDOE electronically by September 26, 2025.
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