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Superintendent's Message
Final Stop, Lasting Impact: Commonwealth Listening Tour
Yesterday marked our final regional visit of the Commonwealth Listening Tour—and what an incredible journey it has been. From our first stop in Hampton with Governor Spanberger, to the beautiful mountains of Southwest Virginia, to yesterday’s lively conversations in Northern Virginia, and everywhere in between, each visit has been truly meaningful.
We’ve heard so much candor, along with a deep sense of hope. We’re excited to take everything we’ve learned and turn that feedback into meaningful, actionable next steps.
A huge thank-you to everyone who joined us along the way. It truly means so much, and we’re incredibly grateful. There’s still one more day to share your feedback online or join one of our two remaining virtual listening sessions for parents and teachers.
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Highlights
News from Across the Commonwealth
Henry County Public Schools recently hosted a Bingo for Books event at Meadow View Elementary that included a night of fun, laughter, and learning! Families gathered together for games, prizes, and plenty of smiles as they celebrated literacy in a way that brought the community closer. From exciting rounds of bingo to sharing books and tips, it was a wonderful evening for learners of all ages. #ReadingMattersVA #ReadingTogetherVA
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Legislative Update
2026 General Assembly Education Legislation
Article: 2026-13-164 Audience: Superintendents, Directors, School Principals, Child Care Center Operators, Teachers, Non-teaching staff, Other-School Boards Contact: Melissa Velazquez, Assistant Superintendent of Government Relations, melissa.velazquez@doe.virginia.gov
The 2026 regular session of the General Assembly concluded on Saturday, March 14, 2026. The Department has published a list of education legislation that passed during the session and is awaiting Governor Spanberger’s signature. The General Assembly will reconvene on Wednesday, April 22, 2026, to consider any amendments or vetoes made to legislation. The Department will update the list of legislation after the conclusion of the reconvened session and signature of the Governor.
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Recognitions
Gilder Lehrman Hosts 2026 National History Teacher of the Year – Nomination Deadline April 30
Article: 2026-13-167 Audience: Directors, School Principals, Teachers Contact: Christonya Brown, History and Social Science Coordinator, vdoe.hss@doe.virginia.gov
The Gilder Lehrman program recognizes excellence in the teaching of history at the K-12 level. Each year, thousands of teachers are nominated by students, parents, fellow teachers, and community members, shining a light on the important work they do.
Nominations for any eligible K-12 teacher are due April 30, 2026, and must be submitted on the Gilder Lehrman website. Nominators are asked to provide contact information for themselves and information about the nominee, including a short statement about why the nominee should be honored. Nominations can be made by any individual who is familiar with the teacher’s work, including students, parents of students, colleagues, etc. Nominated teachers receive an email notification with instructions on how to submit all materials to be considered for the State History Teacher of the Year. State winners receive a $1,000 prize, an archive of classroom resources, and recognition at a ceremony in their state. Nominate an outstanding history teacher here.
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Instruction Implementation, Support & Evaluation
The Science and Health Unit is Seeking Content Developers and Reviewers for Health, Physical, Adapted, and Driver Education Multilingual Resources
Article: 2026-13-168 Audience: Health, Physical, Adapted and Driver Education Teachers, Language Instruction Educational Program (LIEP) Teachers, Special Education Teachers, Instructional Specialists, Instructional Coaches Contact: Jennifer Vedder, Coordinator, Health, Family Life, Physical, and Driver Education, jennifer.vedder@doe.virginia.gov
The Virginia Department of Education is seeking applications from individuals who are qualified and available to serve as content developers for Health, Physical, Adapted, and Driver Education multilingual resources. Selected members will serve a one-year term and attend quarterly virtual meetings as part of this project. Selected members will also review and make recommendations to existing Health, Physical, and Driver Education resources created by the Department to support the instruction of multilingual learners. Applicants should be teachers, content specialists, or other educators who are knowledgeable about best practices for multilingual learner instruction. All individuals who wish to serve on this committee must submit an online application. Approximately five to seven individuals will be selected.
Completed applications are due to the VDOE by April 21, 2026.
Mathematics Professional Development Series
Article: 2026-13-169 Audience: Superintendents, Directors, School Principals Contact: Victoria Bohidar, Mathematics Coordinator, victoria.bohidar@doe.virginia.gov
The Mathematics unit is excited to announce a new professional development series for mathematics leaders and building administrators to support the implementation of High- Quality Instructional Materials (HQIM) at the school and division levels. This series will offer guidance on reviewing materials for alignment and coherence, utilizing the Mathematics Walkthrough Tool to monitor instructional practices, and developing purposeful planning structures. Textbooks and HQIM impact the Student Performance and Support Framework by providing quality materials to support Tier 1 instruction which impacts overall student mastery and growth. While suitable for all schools implementing mathematics HQIM next year, schools federally identified in mathematics or identified as Needs Intensive Support or Off-Track are encouraged to attend.
Title: Mathematics Leader Series: Focus on Supporting Teachers in Implementing HQIM April 22, 2026 9:00AM – 10:00AM Registration Link
This session will focus on the systemic implementation of Mathematics HQIM. Participants will have the opportunity to identify potential gaps between the division-adopted HQIM and the 2023 Mathematics Standards of Learning and to begin planning for the development of a coherent mathematics program that addresses gaps and provides targeted support for the student population in the division.
Title: Mathematics Leader Series: Using the Mathematics Walkthrough Tool to Inform Instruction May 6, 2026 9:00AM – 10:00AM Registration Link
This session will focus on using the Mathematics Walkthrough Tool to support mathematics instruction. Participants will have the opportunity to apply the walkthrough tool to an instructional lesson and engage in discourse on providing effective feedback to teachers to inform instructional practices.
Title: Mathematics Leader Series: Purposeful Planning Structures May 6, 2026 9:00AM – 10:00AM Registration Link
This session will offer interactive opportunities for coaches and leaders to examine their division-adopted HQIM to prepare planning structures that support alignment with grade-level expectations in the 2023 Mathematics Standards of Learning. Purposeful planning meetings support teachers, build educator capacity, and ultimately propel student mastery and growth.
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School Finance
Two Title I Technical Assistance Opportunities – April 13
Article: 2026-13-171 Audience: Title I, Part A Coordinators Contact: Tiffany Frierson, Title I Coordinator, Tiffany.Frierson@doe.virginia.gov
The Title I, Part A Program will offer an Equitable Services Webinar on Monday, April 13, 2026, at 1:00p.m. followed by Title I Office Hours at 2:00p.m. Please join the Title I team using the links below.
During the Title I Equitable Services Webinar, Title I coordinators will learn the basic requirements of Title I, Part A Equitable Services to eligible private school students, receive tips for conducting initial consultation with private school officials, and learn their responsibilities and as well as the private schools’ responsibilities.
Title I Office Hours will be a time for Title I coordinators to ask Title I specific questions about their Title I program.
Title I Office Hours Monday, April 13, 2026 at 2:00p.m. Meeting ID: 160 317 2527 Passcode: 524936 833 568 8864 US Toll-free
FY 2026 SOQ Position Bonus Office Hours – April 16
Article: 2026-13-170 Audience: School Division Finance Directors Contact: Ed Lanza, Director of Budget, Edward.lanza@doe.virginia.gov
The Virginia Department of Education’s Division of Budget and Finance will host office hours on Thursday, April 16, 2026, from 2:00 to 3:00 to answer questions about the FY26 SOQ Position Bonus payment. If you would like to participate in the meeting, you can join using the link below.
VDOE staff will take questions during the office hours segment and provide answers in real time.
Applications Available for Federal Funds
Article: 2026-13-163 Audience: Superintendents, Directors, Federal Program Coordinators Contact: Patrice Cosely, Grants and Reports Manager, (804) 225-2586, Patrice.Cosely@doe.virginia.gov; OMEGA Support, Omega.Support@doe.virginia.gov
The 2026-2027 federal program applications for ESEA funding are now available for the following programs:
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Title I, Part A, Improving Basic Programs Operated by Local Educational Agencies;
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Title I, Part C, Education of Migratory Children;
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Title I, Part D, Subparts 1 & 2, Prevention and Intervention Programs for Children and Youth Who Are Neglected, Delinquent, or At-Risk;
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Title II, Part A, Supporting Effective Instruction;
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Title III, Part A, Language Instruction for English Learners and Immigrant Students;
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Title IV, Part A, Student Support and Academic Enrichment Grants; and
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Title V, Part B, Subpart 2, Rural and Low-Income School Program.
The applications and accompanying documents, including instructions, are posted on the VDOE ESSA website, under each federal program’s page.
Divisions may submit individual ESEA program applications, consolidated applications, or a combination of the two by July 1, 2026. School divisions that submit a substantially approvable individual or consolidated application by July 1, 2026, will have the ESEA 2026-2027 funds available on a reimbursement basis as of that date. School divisions that submit an approvable application after July 1, 2026, will have the ESEA 2026-2027 funds available on a reimbursement basis as of the date an approvable application is received at the Department.
Final ESEA program allocations for 2026-2027 will be released via the Virginia Education Update Newsletter as they are provided by the U.S. Department of Education. Until the final allocations are available, the 2025-2026 federal allocations may be used to complete the budget sections of the applications for ESEA programs. Revisions may be submitted to adjust program expenses or plans at any time during the process until the application is fully approved. Once the application is approved, amendments will be required for additional program expenses or plan adjustments during the award period.
To provide technical assistance to school divisions not able to attend the Application Completion Training, PowerPoint presentations will be available at the beginning of May for most program areas on the Canvas site for each title program. Please refer to the contact information provided in the appropriate application instructions and guidelines document if you need assistance during the application completion and revision process.
If there are questions related to the mechanics of the application, please contact Patrice Cosely, Grants and Reports Manager, at (804) 225-2586 or Patrice.Cosely@doe.virginia.gov. Questions related to the electronic submission of the application through the Department’s Online Management of Education Grant Awards (OMEGA) system should be directed to OMEGA support at Omega.Support@doe.virginia.gov.
2024-25 Homebound Services Adjusted Reimbursement Budget Report
Article: 2026-13-162 Audience: Superintendents Contact: Amy Edwards, Medicaid Specialist, Amy.Edwards@doe.virginia.gov
The General Assembly has continued to allocate funding for homebound services instructional hours from the general fund. The funding for each school division is distributed based on the homebound services instructional hours reported by each school division for the 2024-25 school year. The composite index is applied to the number of instructional hours reported by each school division to determine the state’s share of the cost. Semi-monthly reimbursement payments are allocated based on funding available. The adjusted Homebound Services Reimbursement Budget Report for School Year 2024-25 is available to the public. Reimbursement is restricted to school divisions that successfully submit data collected through the VDOE Single Sign-on for Web Systems portal. Data for fiscal year 2025 was collected during August and September 2025.
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Student Health
Youth Mental Health First Aid Training Opportunity – Register by May 8
Article: 2026-13-166 Audience: Superintendents, Directors, School Principals, Child Care Center Operators, Non-teaching staff Contact: Jessica Caggiano, Child and Adolescent Program Specialist, DBHDS, Jessica.Caggiano@dbhds.virginia.gov; Joseph Wharff, Director, Office of Behavioral Health and Student Safety, VDOE, Joseph.Wharff@doe.virginia.gov
The Virginia Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services (DBHDS) is offering the Youth Mental Health First Aid (YMHFA) train-the-trainer course to school division personnel in Virginia. This opportunity will allow trained staff to expand the YMHFA curriculum to others in each school division, thus increasing the number of people who can identify, understand, and respond to signs of mental health and substance use challenges among children and adolescents, ages 12-18.
Please note that participation is capped at three per division. Chosen staff who complete the training should be aware of the teaching requirements once they have received their certification as a trainer, which is “to maintain certification, one must host and teach a YMHFA class three times per year.” This curriculum is comprised of two virtual options.
Option 1: Four-day train-the-trainer course that includes the initial YMHFA certification (sixteen participants max per class). If you select this option, you will take the initial certification course first (one full day), then move into the three-day train-the-trainer course.
Option 2: Three-day virtual course where staff will learn the curriculum and teaching skills needed to train future participants. Initial YMHFA certification must already be obtained and not expired to participate in this course option (note: certifications expire after three years).
Resources for Schools and the Community to Prepare and Respond to the Measles
Article: 2026-13-161 Audience: Superintendents, Directors, School Principals, Child Care Center Operators, Teachers, Non-teaching staff, School Nurse Coordinators and School Nurses Contact: Na-Keisha A. White, School Health Coordinator, Na-Keisha.White@doe.virginia.gov
Measles cases continue to rise in the United States and across the globe. As of March 27, 2026, the Virginia Department of Health (VDH) has reported seventeen cases of measles, over a three-fold increase from cases reported in 2025. Measles is highly contagious and spreads through the air when an infected person coughs or sneezes. Measles can spread quickly in schools, because students and staff spend a lot of time in close contact, particularly if there is a higher proportion of persons who are not immune or vaccinated. Outbreaks can also result in time out of school and disruptions in learning.
The VDH Measles Toolkit includes resources for schools and communities, especially surrounding Spring Break travel. Additional resources to help schools prepare for measles include:
The VDOE Office of Behavioral Health and Student Safety remains dedicated to supporting student health and wellness. Contact the VDOE School Health Coordinator Na-Keisha A. White at Na-Keisha.White@doe.virginia.gov with questions or for additional support concerning K-12 immunization requirements.
Opioid Abatement Education Program for Educators
Article: 2026-13-160 Audience: Principals and Administrators, Teachers, School Nurses, School-Based Mental Health Professionals, School Resource Officers Contact: Nenneya Shields, Opioid Abatement Program Manager, Nenneya.Shields@doe.virginia.gov
The Opioid Abatement Education Program was developed to support K-12 teachers, school-based mental health professionals, school nurses, school resource officers, and administrators with instruction on delivering evidence-based opioid abatement education and prevention programming for students that supports the Health Standards of Learning. The use of the Botvin Lifeskills Training in schools to support instruction on opioid misuse and prevention is free to school divisions. Stipends are available to educators who complete the training program and implement it in their schools. For those interested in training through the Opioid Abatement Education Program, additional information and details are available on the VDOE Opioid Abatement Education Plan web page.
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School Nutrition
Calling all New and Aspiring School Nutrition Directors: Save the Date for the 2026 New Director’s Academy!
Article: 2026-13-165 Audience: Superintendents, Directors, School Food Authorities and community sponsors Contact: Kenndra Buyalos, Lead SNP Specialist, Kenndra.Buyalos@doe.virginia.gov
The Virginia Department of Education, Office of School and Community Nutrition Programs invites you to save-the-date for the 2026 New Director’s Academy! The academy will be held Monday, July 20 – Thursday, July 23, 2026, at ECPI University in Glen Allen, Virginia located at 11104 W. Broad Street.
This four-day training is for new school nutrition directors, aspiring directors, and decision makers interested in school nutrition leadership. The training is designed to provide new directors with a comprehensive overview of the USDA Child Nutrition Programs operations and requirements. Classes include program regulations, meal pattern requirements, financial management, procurement, accommodating special dietary needs, and much more!
Registration is forthcoming. Contact Kenndra Buyalos, Lead SNP Specialist, at Kenndra.Buyalos@doe.virginia.gov or your SNP regional specialist with any questions.
Office of School and Community Nutrition Programs Staffing Updates
Article: 2026-13-159 Audience: Child Care Center Operators, School Food Authorities and community sponsors Contact: Sara Bennett, VDOE-SCNP Director, Sara.Bennett@doe.virginia.gov
Join the Virginia Department of Education, Office of School and Community Nutrition Programs in welcoming our new team members:
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Rachel Inman, MS, RDN, Procurement Analyst
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Shannon Girouard, Finance Specialist
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