State Articles of Interest
ID Checks at Arlington High School
Youngkin; VDOE launches online resource for students and schools
‘What we have now is working’: Prince William students share thoughts on cellphone restrictions
Staunton Schools, JMU partner to mentor middle school students through graduation
Schools discuss digital stress and online risks for students – Fluvanna Review
National Articles of Interest
School book bans triple in 2023-24 | K-12 Dive
Trump wins second term: What could it mean for K-12?
How did K-12 fare on state ballots in the 2024 election?
Special education teacher shortages focus of upcoming federal briefing | K-12 Dive
6 statewide strategies to improve student math outcomes | K-12 Dive
What Trump Election Means for Schools
After-school meal participation is on the rise | K-12 Dive
DOE Updates
Leading Special Education – Virginia Principal Support Program
Article: 2024-44-470
Audience: Superintendents, Directors, School Principals
Contact: Dr. Samantha Marsh Hollins, Associate Superintendent for Special Populations and Board Relations, Samantha.Hollins@doe.virginia.gov; Dr. Zenia Burnett, Director of Special Education Instructional Services, Zenia.Burnett@doe.virginia.gov
The VDOE continues its rollout of tiered supports for local school division staff and their implementation of high-quality instruction focused on instructional practices to support specially designed instruction for students with disabilities. In collaboration with James Madison University and the VDOE, the Virginia Principal Support Program is designed to provide targeted professional development and support to public school principals throughout the Commonwealth to increase leadership and capacity in special education. There are two participant options:
- Principals with three or fewer years of experience will be mentored by an experienced principal advisor who will provide targeted coaching support throughout the year. Both the early career principal and principal advisor will attend five professional development sessions throughout the school year. Topics may include continuous school improvement, evidence-based practices in special education administration, instructional leadership, and how to effectively provide constructive feedback for employee productivity and effectiveness.
- Experienced principals and division-level leaders will convene and collaborate during five work sessions to develop high-quality professional development modules for relevant educational leadership topics. Module development will embed research, evidence-based practices, and evaluation. Upon completion, the permanent products may be used for professional learning and training in the participants’ respective school divisions.
For more information about this opportunity, contact Jaclyn Nickel, Executive Director of Professional Educator Development and Partnerships, James Madison University, at nickeljr@jmu.edu or (540) 568-7924.
American Revolution ProgramThe American Revolution Museum at Yorktown is hosting a small-group teacher conversation with historian, teacher, and chairperson of the Board of Directors of The Montpelier Foundation, Dr. Hasan Kwame Jeffries prior to the public event. In anticipation of the 250th anniversary of the start of the American Revolution, this program will invite participants to consider how our understanding of history shapes modern society. Register or learn more about this event today.
