Articles of Interest
Virginia school systems face deadline to spend federal relief funds
MCPS school employee collective bargaining talks continue
UMW poll: Majority of Virginians approve of their local school districts
The VHSL’s transgender athletes await potential impact of new Youngkin policy
Teacher shortage hamstrings special ed in Prince William County | Education | insidenova.com
Students across Virginia protest Youngkin’s transgender policies
Police staffing shortage leads Arlington high schools to limit attendance at games | ARLnow.com
Youngkin wants a better measuring stick for Va. schools. What’s his plan?
All area schools receive full accreditation from Virginia
VDOE Updates
Practical Assessment in Your Classroom-November 2
Building on an understanding of foundational assessment principles, this one-day, interactive workshop for teachers in grades 5-12 will explore the ins and outs of assessment that is classroom-situated and therefore teacher-directed. Participants will dive into the roles of assessment, evaluation, and grading and clarify their purpose, uses, users, and consequences. Find out more information from the William & Mary School of Education or register today.
Presidential Awards for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching Program
This recognition will be given to teachers for secondary mathematics and secondary science. Computer science applications will be reviewed as part of the mathematics category, and engineering applications will be reviewed as part of the science category. Superintendent Memo 194-22 has all the details including the process, online nomination form link, and due dates. Nominations may be made by students, parents, teachers, and administrators. Teachers may also self-nominate. Best of luck educators!
| K-12 SOL Institutes in English Language Arts-Registration is OPEN!K-12 SOL Conferences in English Language Arts utilize a train-the-trainer model featuring demonstrations by classroom practitioners, reading specialists, school and division administrators, higher education partners, the Virginia Literacy Partnerships Office (PALS), and the VDOE Office of Student Assessment. Presenters will provide professional development that focuses on continued implementation of engaging instruction that aligns to the 2017 Standards of Learning and Curriculum Framework. Elementary and secondary specific sessions will be held. Register today! |
State Superintendent Memos
Ed. Department Updates
COMPETITIVE GRANT AWARDS
Before the end of the federal fiscal year (September 30), the Department awarded a significant number of competitive grant awards.
For example, on September 21, the Department’s Rehabilitation Services Administration (RSA) announced new five-year grant awards for the Subminimum Wage to Competitive Integrated Employment (SWTCIE) demonstration project to 14 state vocational rehabilitation (VR) agencies. Specifically, using innovative approaches, state agencies will assist job seekers with disabilities to secure high-quality jobs for real pay in green technology, the transportation industry, and the arts, in which they will work alongside their non-disabled peers at comparable wages. Every project embraces collaborative efforts among multiple partners and stakeholders, including state and local providers, public and private employees, and advocates.
That same day, the agency announced Project School Emergency Response to Violence (SERV) grants for two additional Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) that experienced bomb threats earlier this year. Coppin State University in Baltimore and Fisk University in Nashville were awarded $130,000 and $60,000, respectively. They will use funding to support student trauma recovery related to the threats by hiring full-time trauma specialists/counselors, increasing full-time security officer coverage, and offering additional mental health services.
Also, on September 27, the agency announced new three-year investments under the Supporting Effective Educator Development (SEED) program. For this year’s competition, the agency directed funding to projects designed to support the workforce through high-quality, comprehensive teacher preparation programs, including those with a good track record of recruiting and placing under-represented candidates. The agency also prioritized projects designed to help educators create more inclusive and equitable learning to meet students’ social, emotional, and academic needs. Separately, via regional press calls (1, 2, 3, and 4), the agency announced nearly $1 billion in formula grant awards under the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act (BSCA). States must award these funds competitively to high-need school districts. Stronger Connections grants will help schools provide all students with safe and supportive learning opportunities and environments that are critical for their success. (Note: Earlier, Secretary Cardona sent a Dear Colleague Letter to Chief State School Officers outlining principles that states are strongly encouraged to consider when designing competitive grant competitions and providing districts with direction for how they use these funds.)
