Articles of Interest
Hanover Schools to hire new mental health staff, expand programs with state grant | WRIC ABC 8News
Virginia’s Black and Latino students hit hardest by pandemic learning loss
‘The model’s broken:’ County leaders say state school funding isn’t enough – Smithfield Times
Implementation of Youngkin’s transgender policies delayed at least 30 days
‘No clear answer’ on why school threats are happening more
School divisions see rise in various illnesses | WAVY.com
Youngkin decries sharp drop in Virginia’s test scores in reading and math
VDOE Updates
VDOE English Learning Labs
For participants interested in workshopping and applying ideas presented at the virtual institutes, three in-person K-12 English SOL Learning Labs will be offered around the state. They will be facilitated by presenters from the virtual English SOL Institutes. These full-day sessions will allow for teachers to connect within grade-band groups to workshop ideas presented at the institutes, examine student work samples, dialogue with educators, and plan next steps for instruction based on the virtual session topics. Register for one of the following:
Fredericksburg Learning Lab: Monday, November 7.
Newport News Learning Lab: Wednesday, November 9.
Roanoke Learning Lab: Thursday, November 17.
Resources for Teachers at VA Wildlife Center
The Wildlife Center of Virginia has resources for teachers to help incorporate lessons of wildlife veterinary medicine and environmental conservation into science, biology, and environmental science lesson plans.
Practical Assessment in Your Classroom-Nov. 2
Building on an understanding of foundational assessment principles, this one-day, interactive workshop for General and Special Education Teachers (grades 6-12) 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. Register or find out more information today!
Inclusive Schools Webinar Series
This series will support the K-12 Inclusive Practices Guide, and provide information on topics from effective inclusion and scheduling to behavior basics and specially designed instruction. Both Special Educators and General Educators are welcome and encouraged to attend one or all of the webinars.
Ed. Department Updates
NAEP 2022
According to the latest National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) results — the first since the start of the pandemic — average scores in reading and math for both fourth- and eighth-grade students declined sharply since 2019. There were declines in reading by three points in both grades, with 37% of fourth-grade students and 30% of eighth-grade students nationally below the NAEP “Basic” level. Moreover, there were declines in math by five points in fourth-grade and eight points in eighth-grade, with 25% of fourth-grade students and 38% of eighth-grade students nationally below the NAEP “Basic” level. No state or jurisdiction posted gains in reading or math in either grade, nor did any of the 26 participating urban school districts. The vast majority posted declines (NAEP Day recording).
“The results released today from the [NAEP] are appalling, unacceptable, and a reminder of the impact that this pandemic has had on our learners,” Secretary Cardona declared in a statement. “The data also represent a call to action for the important work we must do now for our students — especially those who have suffered the most during the pandemic. This once-in-a-generation virus upended our country in so many ways — and our students cannot be the ones who sacrifice most now or in the long run. We must treat the task of catching our children up in reading and math with the urgency this moment demands…. It’s up to all of us to raise the bar in education” (see Learning Recovery landing page).
The Secretary also spoke with reporters and, later, with parents at a Prince George’s County, Maryland, elementary school (photos).
Furthermore, the Department issued an update to its guide on “Supporting Learning Acceleration with American Rescue Plan [ARP] Funds” and shared videos of principals (1, 2, and 3) utilizing ARP funding to address pandemic-related learning loss.
And, on October 26, the agency hosted the first of five sessions focused on key strategies and programs to boost literacy and math outcomes (Secretary’s opening remarks and session recording).
RECOGNIZING EDUCATORS
Last week, Secretary Cardona announced the 2022 recipients of the Terrel H. Bell Award for Outstanding School Leadership. Named for the second U.S. Secretary of Education, this award recognizes principals who are committed to education as a powerful and liberating force in people’s lives. Part of the National Blue Ribbon Schools Program, principals are nominated by their school communities during final stages of the application process and will be celebrated during the program’s awards ceremony on November 3 and 4 in Washington, D.C. (infographic).
Also last week, during Cybersecurity Career Awareness Week, the Department announced the 2022 recipients of the Presidential Cybersecurity Education Award. This award, now in its third year, is presented annually to two educators – one elementary and one secondary — for excellence in cybersecurity education. Benjamin Dougherty of Lakota West High School in West Chester, Ohio, and Allen Stubblefield, Jr., of Troy High School in Fullerton, California, were selected for instilling in their students the knowledge, skills, and passion for cybersecurity. Additionally, nominations are currently open (through January 9, 2023) for the Presidential Awards for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching.
