State Articles of Interest
Boom in English-learner population prompts Henrico Schools to expand staffing and newcomer programs
Virginia to get $5M to help with school infrastructure needs
No bags allowed at WJCC public high school athletic events
National Articles of Interest
Special ed dispute resolution trends mostly return to pre-pandemic levels | K-12 Dive
3 ways students and older adults can build bridges with intergenerational learning | K-12 Dive
Bill would fund AI training through schools, nonprofits | K-12 Dive
Educational Stories to Watch in 2024
Iowa’s sweeping ‘Don’t Say Gay’ law hits roadblock ahead of implementation
5 insights from top school administrators in 2023 | K-12 Dive
DOE Updates
Governor Youngkin Unveils Two-Year Spending Plan |
Yesterday, Governor Glenn Youngkin unveiled his 2024-2026 Biennial Budget proposal at a meeting of the Senate and House Joint Money Committees in Richmond. In the 2024-2026 proposal by the Governor, is a plan for a 12% cut in income taxes across the board that would drop tax rates from 2% to 1.75% for the lowest bracket and from 5.75% to 5.1% for the highest. To offset the loss in revenue from the income tax rate cut, the governor is proposing to increase the state’s sales and use tax from 4.3% to 5.2%, while expanding the base of goods and services that tax applies to. Additionally, the governor encouraged lawmakers to eliminate the car tax local governments are currently allowed to levy and instead have localities rely on further increases in sales tax. Over the next biennium, Governor Youngkin proposed an additional $764 million for Virginia’s K-12 schools, including $160 million for re-benchmarking. $122 million to cover another 2% raise for teachers in fiscal year 2026 and $53 million for a 1% bonus in fiscal year 2025.Governor Youngkin also proposed investing $61 million to expand the hiring of reading specialists, $40 million to support students seeking industry-recognized credentials through “Diploma Plus” grants and $40 million to develop a new state assessment system.To review an itemized list of the Governor’s proposed education spending plan, click here.The budget legislation HB 30 (Torian)/SB 30 (Lucas), will be a topic of much debate once the general assembly convenes in January. We expect significant changes to the Governor’s proposed budget as it moves through the appropriations process. VSBA’s Government Relations Team will be working with legislators on key budget priorities and will continue to keep you informed on the budget during the legislative session. |
E-Rate News
Funding Year (FY) 2024 FCC Form 471 Filing Window Opens January 17, 2024
The Funding Year (FY) 2024 FCC Form 471 application filing window will open on Wednesday, January 17, 2024, at noon ET and will close on Wednesday, March 27, 2024, at 11:59 p.m. ET. In addition, the E-Rate Productivity Center (EPC) Administrative Window will close Friday, January 12, 2024. Wednesday, February 28, 2024 is the last date that you can submit and certify an FCC Form 470 and still wait the required minimum 28-day period before submitting and certifying your FCC Form 471 by March 27, 2024, the last date of the FY2024 application filing window. Don’t forget to update your E-Rate Productivity Center (EPC) profiles. All applicants can now review their profiles and make any additional updates for changes that occurred after USAC’s review of their Funding Year (FY) 2023 FCC Forms 471. As in the past, the EPC Admin Window to update profiles will close – and the applicant profiles will be locked – on January 15, 2024, before the FY2024 application filing window opens January 17, 2024. View the EPC Administrative Window webinar slides to learn more.
The FCC Wireline Communications Bureau (WCB) released the FY 2024 Eligible Services List on December 15, 2023. You can review the FY2024 ESL on the Eligible Services List page to learn which services are eligible for E-Rate discounts for the upcoming funding year.
How to Apply for Wi-Fi on School Buses in FY2024
To apply for Wi-Fi on School Buses, please read the December 15, E-Rate News Brief for more details.
Digital Learning Day – February 15, 2024
Check out the #DLDay map to find exciting events in your area. If you’re hosting an event, don’t miss the chance to inspire others by adding it to the map! ADD YOUR EVENT TO THE MAP!
Here are a few ideas for planning a DLDay Event from All4Ed.
Share with us at @VDOE_News #VSTEinACTION @OfficialDLDay #DLDay #FutureReady @FutureReady @all4ed
Virginia’s Waiver Programs to Support Students with Disabilities
Audience: Superintendents, Directors
Contact: Assistant Superintendent, Department of Special Populations
Parents and families of students with disabilities receiving services through an individualized education program may not be aware of available services and eligibility of students for various waiver programs in Virginia designed to provide resources to support students and their families. The VDOE encourages local school divisions to share the following information with parent and families of students with disabilities.
The Virginia Department of Medical Assistance Services administers the three available developmental disabilities waivers jointly with the Virginia Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services. There is a waiting list for these waivers, and the slots are assigned based on urgency of need. Additional information regarding waivers is available on the Virginia Department of Medical Assistance Services website.?
Families can apply?for a waiver by contacting their local Community Services Board (CSB) or by visiting the Virginia Association of Community Services Boards website to locate the CSB in their community.
Governor’s World Language Academies
The application period for the Governor’s World Language Academies is now open. Information and related documents are posted on the GWLA page of the VDOE website.
Upcoming GWLA Deadlines
- January 31, 2024: Deadline to submit online student applications and complete online language testing.
- February 16, 2024: Deadline for school divisions and private schools to enter names of student nominees and certify funding in the SSWS system.
GWLA Selection Committee
The VDOE will convene a selection committee to score student applications on March 13-15, 2024. Committee members will meet in teams of two to review applications and assign scores based on a standard rubric. World Language teachers and supervisors interested in serving on the Selection Committee for French, German, Spanish, Latin or Japanese should email Lisa Harris before January 31, 2024 for details on how to apply.
