State Articles of Interest
Majority backs continued weapons screening in Alexandria public schools – WTOP News
York County School Board removes controversial right-wing board chair | WAVY.com
New Kent School Board delays cell phone ban, seeks staff input – Daily Press
National Articles of Interest
Do state assessments need an overhaul? | K-12 Dive
Graduation rates rebounded shortly after pandemic hiccup | K-12 Dive
Education Department civil rights cases eclipse prior year’s record high | K-12 Dive
DOE Updates
Update on Spring 2025 SOL Reading and Mathematics Tests
Article: 2024-22-195
ActiVAtED Learning Adventures
Audience: Superintendents, Directors, School Principals, Teachers, School Test Coordinators
VDOE invites educators of all levels on a virtual summer road trip around the Commonwealth for ActiVAtED Learning Adventures, a new webinar series. The series will feature discussions with leading educators throughout Virginia about what gets them excited in using technology to inspire student engagement. The 12-episode season will launch new episodes every two weeks. Webinars will be part of the VVA Statewide Weekly Meetings held Tuesdays at 1 p.m. starting May 28. Register on Zoom for the ActiVAtED Learning Adventures Webinar Series.
With instructional implementation of the new standards occurring next school year for both the 2023 Mathematics SOL and 2024 English SOL, VDOE will have items in our current bank that can assess the standards that overlap across the old and new standards. Item review and field testing has been underway for the alignment to the 2023 Mathematics SOL. Work to review the item bank alignment to the 2024 English SOL is progressing. More information will be provided this summer following the completion of the alignment review.
The Department has developed new innovative item types using one-time surplus federal funds following the recommendations of the House Bill 585 Work Group. However, the new innovative item types will not be included on the Spring 2025 assessments as additional funding for administration and scoring of these items were not included in the biennium budget.
Public Hearing on Revisions to the Standards of Accreditation
The Virginia Board of Education will hold a public hearing on the proposed revisions to the Standards of Accreditation on June 4 at 4 p.m. This revision to the Standards of Accreditation focuses on changes to the accreditation process and the development of a school performance and support framework. Parents, educators, and interested citizens are invited to attend the session and comment. Interested individuals can register to attend and/or speak in the public hearing. Information on the revisions to the Standards of Accreditation can be found here.
Content Teaching Academies
Join VDOE at the Content Teaching Academies on June 24–27, at James Madison University. The Academies are designed to provide professional development to participating Virginia educators to enhance the outcomes of students with disabilities using high-quality instruction and to promote inclusive practices. For all public school participants, the VDOE will assume the cost of registration, meals, and double-occupancy lodging on JMU’s campus. School divisions are encouraged to cover travel expenses for participants as this cost is not assumed by VDOE. Register today!
