Articles of Interest
Facebook message closes entire school system, sheriffs says
To improve retention, Richmond educators push to change ‘scripted’ curriculum
Youngkin launches 2 major education initiatives | Govt-and-politics | richmond.com
Youngkin’s push to increase school resource officers showing results | WRIC ABC 8News
Youngkin, Lombardo talk education at town hall
Education department doesn’t expect major changes to draft of history standards
Loudoun County School Board OKs new student discipline policy – WTOP News
VDOE Updates
| United States Vietnam War Commemoration Educational Resources The U.S. Vietnam War Commemoration, staffed with professional historians and educators, provides a collection of educational resources that cover a variety of topics around the history of the Vietnam War. For example, the site includes artifacts, videos, maps, posters, and a Teacher Toolkit. The Teacher Toolkit provides websites, activities, books and materials that can enhance course content, enable accessibility to middle and high school students at varied reading levels, stimulate student engagement and critical thinking skills. |
Webinar Series: Virginia Educators Applying Reading Science
The full-time literacy faculty from the Virginia Tech School of Education are hosting webinars to support teachers moving reading sciences into practice on Tuesdays in Sept.-Nov. at 5 p.m. Register for the September 20 webinar, A Place for Enrichment: Building on the Promise of Place-Based Learning with Talented Readers and Writers in Rural Schools- Rachelle Kuehl or learn more from VT about the webinars and costs.
Chesapeake Bay Grant Application
Applications for the grant are due on September 25. The focus needs to be on environmental education that increase public awareness and knowledge about the Bay, resulting in behavioral change. Teachers are encouraged to apply.
VDOE Presentations for Teachers
Recorded presentations for teachers are available on the Growth Assessments page on the VDOE website. The recordings currently posted on this webpage describe a method for using Standards of Learning assessment data to inform instruction, assist in using the Student Detail by Question data extract file, and provide an overview of the Grades 3-8 Reading and Mathematics Growth Assessments for the 2022-2023 school year and beyond. Check them out today!
State Superintendent Memos
- MEMO 212-22
Announcement of Resources for Constitution Day(PDF) - MEMO 210-22
College Partnership Laboratory Schools(PDF) - MEMO 209-22
2022-2023 Green Ribbon School(PDF) - MEMO 206-22
2022 Virginia School Plant Management Association Annual Conference(PDF) - MEMO 205-22
2022-2023 Fall Student Record Collection and Miscellaneous Statistics Due: October 14, 2022(PDF) - MEMO 203-22
Advancing Computer Science Education (ACSE) Competitive Grant Request for Proposals (RFP) – Fiscal Year 2023(PDF) - MEMO 202-22
Early Childhood Provisionally Licensed Teacher Incentive Program(PDF) - MEMO 199-22
Data Collection for FY 2023 National Board Certification Incentive Awards(PDF)
- MEMO 198-22
Local Gifted Education Technical Review Process (PDF) - MEMO 197-22
Model Policies Concerning Instructional Materials with Sexually Explicit Content (PDF)
- MEMO 195-22
Educator Misconduct Reporting Requirements (PDF) - MEMO 194-22
Presidential Awards for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching (PDF)
Ed. Department Updates
BENEFITS FOR FAMILIES
To support families as students return to school, the Administration is spotlighting two programs: the expanded Child Tax Credit (CTC), which provides payments to eligible families with children, and the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP), which helps eligible families access high-speed internet.
The ARP expanded the CTC from $2,000 per child to $3,600 for children under age 6 and $3,000 for children ages 6 to 17. While many received advance monthly payments of the CTC between July and December 2021, families must file a 2021 tax return to receive their remaining amount. Also, by filing a tax return, families that did not receive advance payments in 2021 (such as those who welcomed a baby in 2021 or those who have not filed taxes in recent years and did not use the non-filer portal) may still receive their full CTC. This year’s tax filing deadline is October 17. ChildTaxCredit.gov offers features to help taxpayers file their taxes and access the remainder of the expanded CTC.
The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL) established the ACP, providing eligible households up to $30 a month off internet bills, as well as a one-time $100 discount off a connected device. And, the Administration secured commitments from internet service providers across the country to offer high-speed plans that are fully covered — meaning millions of families can get high-speed internet at no cost. An estimated 40% of households qualify for the ACP, including those with an income at or below 200% of the federal poverty level ($55,500 for a family of four) and those participating in certain federal programs (without regard to income). GetInternet.gov is a one-stop shop to check eligibility and sign up. Moreover, the Department released a Back to School ACP Toolkit with a ready-to-use backpack flyer that schools and community partners may use to help students and their families enroll.
BLUE RIBBON SCHOOLS
During his bus tour, Secretary Cardona announced 297 schools as 2022 National Blue Ribbon Schools (video slideshow). This program honors public and private elementary, middle, and high schools where students perform at the highest levels or where progress is being made on closing achievement gaps among student subgroups. Chief State School Officers nominate public schools, while the Council for American Private Education nominates private schools. All schools will be recognized at a ceremony in Washington, D.C., November 3 and 4. With its 39th cohort, the program has bestowed approximately 10,000 awards to more than 9,000 schools, with some sites winning multiple awards — as schools are eligible to be re-nominated every five years (press release and blog post). (Note: Honoree profiles and applications are posted online.)
