The Virginia Department of Education is pleased to announce that the nomination window for the 2026 Computer Science Educator of the Year (CSEOY) is now open.  

This annual recognition honors outstanding educators who demonstrate exceptional commitment to advancing computer science education in Virginia’s schools. Nominees should exemplify: 

• Innovative instructional practices that engage students in computer science learning. 
• Leadership in expanding access to computer science opportunities. 
• Dedication to preparing students for success in a technology-driven future. 
• Effective implementation of Virginia’s Computer Science Standards of Learning to ensure high-quality, standards-based instruction. 

Educators, parents, students, administrators, and community members are encouraged to submit the CSEOY 2026 Nomination Form by January 9, 2025. Self-nominations are permitted. Nominees will receive a certificate of recognition, be honored during a virtual award ceremony, and invited to complete the Computer Science Educator of the Year (CSEOY) application for recognition as the 2026 Computer Science Champion or 2026 Computer Science Educator of the Year.  

The Virginia Department of Education is pleased to nominate Franklin Military Academy in Richmond, VA and Park View High School in Loudoun, VA for recognition through the National ESEA Distinguished Schools Program. Based upon the information submitted, Franklin Military Academy was selected by a review panel to represent Virginia in Category 1: Exceptional student performance for two consecutive years and Park View High School was selected by a review panel to represent Virginia in Category 2: Closing the gap between student groups. 

A project of the National Association of ESEA State Program Administrators (NAESPA), the National ESEA Distinguished Schools Program publicly recognizes qualifying federally funded schools for the outstanding academic achievements of their students. For a school to qualify for the National ESEA Distinguished School award, the school must have: 

1. A poverty rate of at least 35 percent for the selected year. 
2. Demonstrated exceptional academic achievement. 
3. Met or exceeded state accreditation. 
4. Be federally funded by one or more ESEA programs.  

National ESEA Distinguished Schools will be recognized during the National ESEA Conference scheduled for February 10-12, 2026, in Denver, Colorado. 

With the release of Virginia’s new School Performance and Support Framework (SPSF) accountability and 3E Readiness scores, Cambridge International invites school division leaders to access a 25-minute recorded webinar exploring how the Cambridge program can help boost your Enrollment – Post Secondary index within the SPSF. Cambridge courses can earn up to 1 point per student on the index.  

As a globally respected nonprofit and part of the University of Cambridge (UK), our program offers an evidence-based PK–12 instructional system that integrates curriculum, pedagogy, PD, resources, and assessment. We have a proven track record of improving student outcomes across U.S. school districts.   

Cambridge is available to all Virginia high schools and is already being implemented in Prince William County. Our courses are widely recognized by Virginia colleges and universities, and the program’s core learning attributes align closely with the Virginia Profile of a Graduate. 

Watch our webinar and learn how Cambridge can help you with 3E accountability and support your school’s goals.  Here is the link to access the recorded webinar.  

September 14, 2023, Governor Youngkin signed HB 6001/SB 6001, which included a significant investment in public education. To ensure schools and divisions have access to high-quality and vetted tutoring programs, the Virginia Department of Education (Department) has developed the High-Quality Tutoring Programs Application Process. The High-Quality Tutoring Programs Application Process will provide school divisions with flexibility when developing effective, academic tutoring programs and ensure that they are meeting the needs of their students, families, and communities.  

Led by the Division of Student Outcomes and School Quality, the Department is pleased to invite service providers to submit an Application for the Approval as a High-Quality Tutoring Program. For the initial phase of approvals, the Department will accept applications until 11:59 p.m. EST, December 15, 2025. Following the initial phase, the Department will accept applications each January 1, April 1, July 1, and October 1 beginning in 2026. Completed applications should be submitted to Instruction@doe.virginia.gov. The Department will conduct a quarterly application and appeal cycle for provider applications, with each cycle lasting no more than 30 days, to ensure tutoring options are available for students, schools, and parents to consider when seeking academic support.  

Applications will be reviewed based on:  

• Demonstrated positive impact on student achievement.  
• Use of an acceleration approach.  
• Focus on grade-level materials.  
• High-intensity program design.  
• Low tutor-to-student ratio.  
• Variety of tutoring options, virtual and on-site.  
• Training and support for tutor. 

Once a program application passes the technical review, a Department review committee with expertise in areas such as curriculum, instruction, online learning, assessment, finance, school improvement, special education, and/or technology will evaluate the application. The review committee will provide a report with recommendations to the Superintendent of Public Instruction, who will then approve or deny the applications. Applicants will be notified of the decision and, in the case of a denial, the reasons for the decision.  

Adult Education Competitive Grants are made available through federal funding for Title II of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act and funds made available through state funding. These grants will be competed for a five-year cycle beginning July 1, 2026, through three separate opportunities: 1.0: Adult Education Regional Programs, 2.0: Integrated English Literacy and Civics Education, and 3.0: Corrections Education and Other Institutionalized Individuals.  

Eligible applicants include an organization that has demonstrated effectiveness in providing adult education and literacy activities. These organizations may include but are not limited to: a local education agency; a community- or faith-based literacy organization; a volunteer literacy organization; an institution of higher education; a public or private nonprofit agency; a library; a public housing authority; a nonprofit institution that is not described previously and has the ability to provide literacy services to eligible individuals; a consortium or coalition of agencies, organizations, institutions, libraries, or authorities described previously; or a partnership between an employer and an entity described above. 

The application package, which contains all submission requirements, may be found on the VDOE Adult Education Grants and Funding web page. Phase I of the application process (screening for demonstrated effectiveness) must be submitted by 4 p.m. on January 21, 2026. Applicants who sufficiently pass the initial screening for demonstrated effectiveness in serving eligible populations will be invited to apply in Phase II. Invited applications must be submitted by 4 p.m. on March 30, 2026.  

The Virginia Department of Education is pleased to announce the division awards for the 2025–2026 National Board Certification Incentive Award (NBCIA) for classroom teachers. The full list of awards can be found here (XLSX).  

In alignment with the Guidelines for Distributing National Board Certification Incentive Awards, the Department prioritizes incentive awards for classroom teachers who hold an active National Board Certificate issued by the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards, are employed in a public school in Virginia on September 30 of the current school and hold an active ten year renewable license issued by the Virginia Board of Education.  As initially communicated on October 10, 2025 via the VA Education Updated Newsletter, School divisions were invited to submit data for educators  who met the criteria established by the Virginia Board of Education.   

A supplemental data collection will be announced in January 2026 to collect information on candidates working in Title 1 schools or a school eligible for participation in the Community Eligibility Provision pursuant to 22.1-207.4:1 and are pursuing initial or maintenance of certification from the National Board for Professional Teaching. Contingent upon available funding, the Department will announce additional awards in the Spring.  

School divisions should familiarize themselves with the 2025-2026 NBCIA Terms of Grant Award.   

We thank all school divisions for their continued commitment to advancing teacher excellence and professional growth through National Board Certification. 

Late Enrollment, a report required for school divisions who requested Late Enrollment slots via the Single Sign-On Web System (SSWS), is due January 9, 2026. This report will collect enrollment data for the Virginia Preschool Initiative (VPI) as of December 31. Slots will be prorated based on student enrollment date and may have additional proration based on available funding. VPI Coordinators in eligible divisions have been notified via email of their available slots.    

To support school divisions, the Department will host a technical webinar to review the VPI Late Enrollment Report on December 11 at 11 a.m.  Attendance is mandatory for VPI Coordinators in divisions that requested Late Enrollment slots, or other school division reporting contacts. Registration is required.   

On November 20, VDOE hosted a webinar for the field to share the latest VQB5 state results and how they’ve evolved since last year. This webinar highlighted key trends, celebrated progress, and explored areas for continued growth in early childhood quality. 

• Title: From Data to Impact: A Look at Virginia’s 2024–2025 VQB5 Results 
• Webinar Recording (1 hour)