The 2026-27 Active Learning Grant Request for Proposals is now open. The Active Learning Grant provides funding to school divisions to encourage and implement active learning for pre-kindergarten through grade 2 students in various settings. The funds may be used to support the development and use of high-quality resources and professional development and to purchase educational platforms integrating 2023 Mathematics and 2024 English Standards of Learning into movement-rich activities. The grant aims to enhance engagement and effectiveness in mathematics and literacy instruction while promoting physical and mental health alongside academic achievement. This year’s award includes new options for divisions to choose from.  

• Option 1 is the development of family engagement opportunities and resources; 
• Option 2 is the use of manipulatives; 
• Option 3 is the purchase of an online platform to incorporate movement into math and literacy instruction.  

The application and additional information can be found on the VDOE Health Education Website. 

VDOE is updating the directory of Dual Language/Immersion (DL/I) programs which includes elementary, middle, and high school programs offering dual language, immersion, or continuation pathways. The current program directory is available for download from the VDOE DL/I page.  

DL/I programs deliver academic content in a language other than English. Continuation programs include secondary-level courses where content is taught in another language and/or advanced language courses designed to build on skills developed in elementary DL/I programs. Students in these programs may be English learners, native English speakers, or multilingual learners whose first language is neither English nor the partner language. 

Division leaders are asked to review their current listings in the directory and submit any updates or new program information by September 30. 

Under Title I, Part A of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA), paraprofessionals providing instructional support in Title I programs must meet a “highly qualified” standard. Approved options include passing an academic assessment, earning an associate degree, completing sufficient college coursework, or passing a locally approved assessment. ParaPathways is now among the recognized assessment options. 

Virginia is transitioning to the ParaPathways assessment (ETS 5757) as its new qualification exam, replacing the ParaPro Assessment, which ETS will retire after August 31, 2026. Beginning September 1, 2026, new candidates choosing the assessment route must take ParaPathways. 

ParaPathways includes two independently scored modules: Reading and Writing (5758) and Mathematics (5759). Candidates must meet Virginia’s qualifying scores of 332 for Reading and Writing and 334 for Mathematics. 

Previously earned ParaPro scores remain valid for their typical lifespan, so those who have already passed do not need to retest. New paraprofessional candidates after August 2026 will follow the ParaPathways requirements. 

The Office of ESEA Programs will support Virginia school divisions throughout the transition to ensure continued compliance with state and federal standards. 

Looking to expand your skills or discover new classroom strategies? Virtual Virginia (VVA) offers free, fully online professional learning for all Virginia public school educators. Opportunities include webinars, courses, certifications, workshops, conferences, and the VVA Professional Learning Network. 

This fall, VVA invites K-12 educators, administrators, and central office staff to its 2026-27 Statewide Professional Learning Webinar Series, featuring sessions on AI implementation, VDOE content initiatives, Innovation Grant projects, and presentations from Skill Struck, The Prompt Teacher, The Commons, and more. 

The webinars are hosted year-round on Tuesdays at 1 p.m. Register to participate in the Zoom Events.  

Virginia Code § 22.1-206.2 directs VDOE and the State Council of Higher Education for Virginia (SCHEV) to distribute and post information that helps high school students make informed decisions about their futures. This includes information about the costs and benefits of different educational and certificate programs, as well as information to help students understand and plan for their postsecondary options. 

The Postsecondary Opportunities for High School Students webpage and the Level Up Virginia website each contain information for students on preparing, applying, and paying for college, as well as information on degree options and labor market career projections. Please ensure this information is shared with students and their families in each middle and high school in the division to assist students in best preparing for post-high-school educational and training opportunities.    

The Virginia Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services (DBHDS), in partnership with VDOE, is announcing an opportunity for a School-Based Mental Health Grant to school divisions across the state. The grant will support school divisions in expanding and strengthening comprehensive school-based mental health services and supports for students. Funds may be used to contract with qualified community-based service providers, qualified telemental health providers, or other initiatives that enhance a school division’s capacity to meet student behavioral health needs. 

For more information regarding the grant application process and an informational webinar to be hosted by DBHDS and VDOE, visit the Virginia Business Opportunity website. The direct solicitation number is 720-5296.   

DBHDS will be accepting eVA application requests until 5 p.m. on September 17. Interested parties must direct questions and correspondence to Nick Sloane at Nick.Sloane@dbhds.virginia.gov. It is anticipated that selected grantees will be notified in October.  

Beginning in the 2026-27 school year, school staff mental health awareness trainings must meet new requirements. Pursuant to Virginia Code § 22.1-298.6, local school boards must ensure the required school staff mental health awareness training addresses the needs of youth populations that are at a high risk of experiencing mental health challenges and disorders in accordance with evidence-based best practices developed by the American Psychological Association.  

To assist school divisions in reviewing training that aligns with new code requirements, VDOE has developed a Mental Health Awareness Training Rubric. Additional information and a list of reviewed trainings are available on the VDOE Mental Health Awareness Training for School Staff web page. 

VDOE has received inquiries from the U.S. Department of State regarding families evacuated from portions of the Middle East earlier this year.  

This is a reminder that students must be enrolled in school while this temporary displacement occurs. School divisions are encouraged to remove barriers that may prevent or delay enrollment for these students. Families can also reach out to school division central office staff with questions regarding registration and enrollment. 

VDOE will continue to provide updates as the information becomes available. School divisions can refer to Virginia Code § 22.1-3 for enrollment information.  

The Unified Virginia Quality Birth to Five System (VQB5) registration for the 2026-27 year opened on August 17 in LinkB5 via VAConnects. All publicly-funded early childhood programs, including Virginia Preschool Initiative, Early Childhood Special Education, and Head Start, must complete registration by October 1.  The resources below are available to support successful registration.  

• 2026-27 VQB5 Participation Handbook for Program Leaders/Spanish  
• LinkB5 Registration Resources 

This year’s Virginia School Plant Management Association (VSPMA) Annual Conference will be held at The Inn at Virginia Tech in Blacksburg from October 11-14, and registration is open. Conference topics include how school districts are meeting new Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) requirements, energy savings partnerships to fund energy-efficient projects, Artificial Intelligence (AI) and facility management/buildings operation and maintenance, restoration of HVAC components, physical and cyber security, accessibility issues, green cleaning and school facility leadership among others.  

Registration closes on September 25. For the first time, the VSPMA is offering ten Attendee Scholarships to school division staff who have not previously attended a conference. Each scholarship includes conference registration and three nights’ lodging. Application for scholarship has been extended from August 31 to September 20.  

The VSPMA is a non-profit organization of K-12 public school facilities professionals serving schools throughout the Commonwealth that supports continuing education, information sharing, industry best practices and networking opportunities. 

For more information visit VSPMA.  

The General Assembly appropriated state funding for fiscal year 2027 to support school divisions offering mentoring programs for new teachers with zero years of teaching experience and for new teachers entering the profession through the Career Switcher Program. The New Teachers Program Data Collection (NTPDC) will be used to collect data from school divisions on new teachers with zero years of teaching experience who qualify for the Mentor Teacher Program or Career Switcher Mentor Program.  Funds for school divisions will be allocated on a per-teacher basis that will be determined based on the information submitted by each school division.  

The NTPDC must be completed by October 30 via the Single Sign-on for Web Systems (SSWS) application.  Additional information on the Mentor Teacher Program and the Career Switcher Mentor Program can be found on this VDOE resource document which will also be available in SSWS. 

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and the VDOE Office of School and Community Nutrition Programs (SCNP), require all School Nutrition Program directors to meet updated minimum hiring standards and annual professional training requirements. Hiring requirements vary based on Local Education Agency (LEA) enrollment size. 

School divisions must submit the Certification of a New School Nutrition Director (SCNP (Dir.) Memo #2026-2027-11, Attachment A), along with documentation verifying the director meets the required hiring standards, to VDOE-SCNP within 30 days of hire for all directors hired on or after July 1. Compliance will be reviewed during the administrative review process. 

Review the SCNP (Dir.) Memo #2026-2027-11 for detailed hiring standards, required documentation, and submission instructions.