State Articles of Interest  

Smart watches banned in ACPS as School Board tightens grip on personal mobile devices | ALXnow

Prince William students using division’s telehealth services | Headlines | insidenova.com

Amherst schools working on long-term mental health plan for students

As Virginia schools prepare to implement cellphone restrictions, safety is major concern

National Articles of Interest

How a New Jersey principal is tackling middle school literacy gaps | K-12 Dive

5 insights from top school administrators in 2024 | K-12 Dive

What you need to know about Title IX | K-12 Dive

How does exclusionary discipline affect student mental health? | K-12 Dive

California district-college partnerships tackle teacher shortage for transitional kindergarten | K-12 Dive

This will be the last Member Update for 2024. The next edition will be January 5th, 2024. Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays from VASSP!

State Articles of Interest  

RCPS maintaining cell phone policy entering new year

Fairfax County leaders press state legislators to increase K-12 education funding | FFXnow

School board discusses library materials policy – Gazette Journal

Virginia Beach allows high schoolers to use cell phones during lunch

LCPS grading policy panned by students, teachers and parents | 1local | loudountimes.com

Youngkin announces $51.25M in funding for struggling schools

LEA Wins Loudoun School Unionization Vote | News | loudounnow.com

Youngkin promised to raise cut scores by 2023. What happened?

Henrico Schools has almost 200 teacher vacancies and says the teacher talent pool is shrinking

National Articles of Interest

Schools take proactive steps to protect immigrant students | K-12 Dive

What do special education advocates anticipate from a 2nd Trump term? | K-12 Dive

Supreme Court declines K-12 cases on gender support plan, race-conscious admissions

5-year study highlights impactful school innovation practices | K-12 Dive

Minnesota schools must report cybersecurity incidents under new law | K-12 Dive

Lawsuit Against Reading Curriculum Specialists

New Jersey becomes latest state to prohibit book bans | K-12 Dive

DOE Updates

Call for K-12 Mathematics Textbook and Instructional Materials Reviewers

The VDOE is seeking qualified individuals available to serve on committees to support the implementation of the 2023 Mathematics?Standards of Learning by participating on a Mathematics Textbook and Instructional Materials Review Committee. Applicants should be teachers, principals, administrators, content specialists, mathematics specialists, or other educators who have?expertise?with the content area and current standards. Individuals who wish to serve on a textbook review committee must submit?an online application. Details are available from VDOE.

Reminder: 2026 Mary V.?Bicouvaris?Virginia Teacher of the Year -Due February 3School division superintendents are invited to nominate one teacher for state-level recognition using the online 2026 Teacher of the Year Application portal. The program recognizes all teachers in pre-kindergarten through grade 12, including library media specialists, school counselors, career and technical educators, mathematic specialists, and reading specialists, who hold a current renewable Virginia teaching license in the assigned teaching area. Applications must be submitted by Feb. 3 by 4 p.m. See the VDOE Educator Awards and Recognition web page for directions and online application. Send questions to TeacheroftheYear@doe.virginia.gov.

State Articles of Interest  

Central Virginia schools receive thousands of dollars to upgrade security as part of statewide grant

DOE Updates

VDOE School Performance & Support Framework Resource HubThe School Performance & Support Framework Resource Hub has access to valuable school data, educator and family supports, and resources. Located on the Supporting Virginia Learners webpage are Roadmaps which provide the steps superintendents, principals, teachers, and parents can take to ensure student success. Make sure to check out the School Data Toolkit webpage for information about VDOE technical assistance offerings.

There will be no VASSP Member Update on November 25th due to the Thanksgiving Holiday.

Happy Thanksgiving from VASSP!

State Articles of Interest  

Alleghany Highlands Public Schools amps up safety, security with first-ever supervisor

Chesterfield students, parents rally against proposed transgender policy changes

Henrico offering free mental health services to students | WRIC ABC 8News

Career program for Alexandria middle schoolers could be copied across Virginia | ALXnow

Winchester School Board revisits part-time student policy amid community pressure

Campbell County School Board unanimously passes new cell phone policy

Martinsville High School recognized for reducing dropout rates

Harrisonburg School Board Approves Collective Bargaining

PWCS’ Comprehensive Implementation to the Virginia Literacy Act | Prince William Living

National Articles of Interest

What will Donald Trump’s 2nd term mean for Title IX? | K-12 Dive

How school leaders can tap into the Education Department’s AI toolkit | K-12 Dive

Schools continue to play vital role in preventing student opioid-related deaths | K-12 Dive

Charter Schools Being Pushed in Michigan

Federal judge pauses Louisiana law requiring Ten Commandments in classrooms | K-12 Dive

California law bans food dyes in school meals | K-12 Dive

DOE Updates

2024-2025 Literacy Grant Available to Divisions

Article: 2024-45-482
Audience: Superintendents, Directors, School Principals
Contact: Dr. Michelle Wallace, Assistant Superintendent of Instruction, Michelle.Wallace@doe.virginia.gov

The Virginia Department of Education is pleased to announce a literacy grant opportunity that will provide additional support and funding to ensure schools have the structures, tools, capacity, and resources to increase literacy growth and achievement for all students. 

 With declines in reading most notable in students with disabilities and English learners, coupled with rapidly changing enrollment, divisions have requested professional learning and technical assistance for schools to support educators of these student groups. In response to division feedback, VDOE is prioritizing three opportunities for this school year: the English Learner Literacy Network, the Students with Disabilities Literacy Network, and family engagement resources. 

 A division may submit one application on behalf of their schools. For this grant cycle, all applications are to be submitted no later than Monday, December 2, 2024. Divisions with high needs will be prioritized for this grant award.  Applicants are highly encouraged to attend the Grant Q&A Office Hours that will be held on Wednesday, November 20, 2024, at 11 a.m. Registration is required in advance.

State Articles of Interest  

ID Checks at Arlington High School

Youngkin; VDOE launches online resource for students and schools

Potential Nondiscrimination Policy Change Stirs York County Citizens at Latest School Board Meeting | Williamsburg Yorktown Daily

‘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: 

1. 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.  
2. 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.

State Articles of Interest  

Male Mentorship Program

Frederick School Board tables discussion on public comment policy | Winchester Star | winchesterstar.com

Food service woes spill over to schools – SoVaNOW: Home of The News & Record and The Mecklenburg Sun

Push to ban new vape sales near schools in Roanoke County moves forward

Va. lawmakers clash over forthcoming school accountability system

Va. leaders are calling for a bell-to-bell cellphone ban in schools. What do students think? – WTOP News

School board chairman, officials discuss bid for lump sum funding – Henry County Enterprise

National Articles of Interest

USDA flags over 200 schools affected by meat recall amid listeria concerns | K-12 Dive

Education Department releases highly anticipated AI toolkit for schools | K-12 Dive

Lawsuit targets Illinois minority teacher scholarship program | K-12 Dive

Schools spent $3.2B on conflict over divisive issues in 2023-24 | K-12 Dive

CDC: Routine vaccinations decline while exemption rates increase | K-12 Dive

How Philadelphia is accelerating learning recovery with an ambitious 5-year plan | K-12 Dive

October 21

State Articles of Interest  

ESRH announces program to diagnose illnesses at schools – Shore Daily News

Schools emphasize bullying prevention

Virginia’s FOIA Law Does Not Require Lawsuits to be Served with Process

Harrisonburg School Board reviews latest collective bargaining resolution draft – Rocktown Now

Local school counselors tackle bullying with education and emotional support

As state works to improve special education, advisory committee wants to review parents’ complaints • Virginia Mercury

National Articles of Interest

Lawsuit asks Oklahoma Supreme Court to overturn classroom Bible mandate | K-12 Dive

AI discipline lawsuit highlights need for school policies | K-12 Dive

74% of schools had trouble filling teacher vacancies this school year

Recovery After Natural Disasters

Adults back classroom cellphone bans but are less supportive of all-day limits

Will the Supreme Court take on race-conscious admissions policies in K-12?

DOE Updates

VDOE English Learners and the Virginia Literacy Act Webinar-October 29
VDOE and the Virginia Literacy Partnerships will host a webinar to support divisions in the implementation of the Virginia Literacy Act as related to English learners.  A Zoom link will be sent to division instructional leaders (literacy and EL coordinators) who have been designated as such in SSWS to register for the webinar. Division leaders will need to register to attend these sessions.??Division leaders can reach out to vla@doe.virginia.gov for more information on registration.VDOE Virginia Literacy Act and Gifted Education Webinar – October 29
VDOE and the Virginia Literacy Partnerships will host a webinar to support divisions in the implementation of the Virginia Literacy Act as related to gifted populations. A Zoom link will be sent to division instructional leaders (literacy and gifted coordinators) who have been designated as such in SSWS to register for the webinar. Division leaders will need to register to attend these sessions.??Division leaders can reach out to vla@doe.virginia.gov for more information on registration.

State Articles of Interest  

Charlottesville and Albemarle County schools continue to limit students’ cell-phone use, in line with new state guidelines

Winchester School Board opens fall retreat with discussion on AI in education

Waynesboro, Augusta County Schools announce planning for regional Recovery High School

Loudoun school board requires parents to be informed about safe gun storage

Swatting at schools puts strain on police: ‘It’s been a really big problem’

Loudoun County students became food critics at school lunch expo – The Washington Post

National Articles of Interest

Facilitating peer discussions can broaden learning | K-12 Dive

4 more states move to restrict curriculum in 2024 | K-12 Dive

1 in 3 teens reports experiencing racism in school | K-12 Dive

EPA final rule will require replacement of lead pipes delivering water to schools within next decade

AAP: Suspensions, expulsions harm students’ mental and physical health | K-12 Dive

Universal Free Lunch Costs   

Charter schools have fewer students with disabilities but higher inclusion rates | K-12 Dive

DOE Updates

Annual Resources Update for Serving Students with Sensory Disabilities

Article: 2024-40-430
Audience: Superintendents, Directors, School Principals
Contact: Wanda Council, Specialist for Sensory Disabilities, Wanda.Council@doe.virginia.gov

Annually VDOE is required to prepare and distribute to local school boards information describing educational and other services available to students who are deaf, hard of hearing, or visually impaired. School boards are required to post this information on school division websites annually and to inform the parents of students who are identified as deaf, hard of hearing, or visually impaired of the availability of such services. 

The VDOE’s Annual Resources Update for Serving Students with Sensory Disabilities is a compilation of the required guidance documents and additional resources available through the VDOE’s Sensory Disabilities webpage. Administrators and teachers may reprint VDOE’s guidance and resources to share with parents. School divisions may also provide printed copies and alternate formats in Virginia public schools and public libraries. 

Statewide Access to New Teacher Support The REACH Virginia program is now accessible to all school divisions as a collaborative network of new teacher mentor program leaders from across the Commonwealth. Funded by the General Assembly through the VDOE, this initiative provides resources to support new teachers, opportunities for professional development, and no-cost membership in the network.  For more information or to join the program, email REACH Virginia Program Directors.

State Articles of Interest  

85% of Va. schools fully accredited – lowest number since 2017 system change

Va. school board settles with teacher fired for not using student’s pronouns

Prince William schools partners with George Mason University for GPA-focused direct admissions process | Headlines | insidenova.com

School sees more student engagement under new cellphone restrictions

Henrico School Board divided about whether to pursue collective bargaining

Nearly 85% of Virginia schools fully accredited this year, a decrease from last year

Dranesville Elementary Takes Joyful Approach to Reducing Chronic Absenteeism

D.C. area schools see rise in threats of violence, officials say – The Washington Post

Virginia leaders sounding alarm after spike in school threats, multiple teens arrested | WRIC ABC 8News

Virginia school divisions doing a better job filling teacher vacancies

National Articles of Interest

What K-12 should know as SCOTUS begins October 2024 term

FCC releases cybersecurity resource guide for budget-constrained schools | K-12 Dive

These 6 steps are key for responding to anonymous school threats

Want to hone students’ critical thinking skills? Give them more opportunities for input | K-12 Dive

How should schools approach concerning behavior? | K-12 Dive

DOE Updates

ALL In with Lexia: Best Practices for Beginning the Year with SUCCESS! 

Article: 2024-39-415
Audience: Superintendents, Directors, School Principals
Contact: Dr. Michelle Wallace, Assistant Superintendent of Instruction, Michelle.Wallace@doe.virginia.gov

The VDOE and Lexia® are proud to partner to help fulfill the Commonwealth’s priority to accelerate literacy growth for students through ALL In. To build on the SY 2024–2025 launch, the VDOE and Lexia have prepared this recommended timeline for October–November which is aligned to Lexia Implementation Best Practices. Divisions are encouraged to take these steps to create success for ALL In teams and students.? 

Recommended Timeline 

• By October 31: 
  • Division leadership reflects on first quarter’s implementation successes and opportunities through facilitating site-based engagement with the Blended Learning Reflection Guide to identify additional team needs and drive next steps for student literacy growth.? 
• By November 27:? 
  • Division leaders assess student progress through a fall metrics review in partnership with their Lexia Success Manager, leveraging data and their Blended Learning Reflection Guide to strengthen implementation and plan for the second semester. 
  • Site-Based Leads and Educators build their capacity to employ data-driven practices within the blended learning model through engaging with professional learning centered on strengthening data routines. 
  • Educators consistently implement the on and offline components of the blended learning model to personalize learning for students through weekly data monitoring and facilitating of Lexia Lessons® and Lexia Skill Builders®, which they mark as delivered when students are flagged. 

Resources: 

• October Newsletter 
• ALL In with Lexia Landing Page 
• Professional Learning: Opt into flexible options or connect with your Lexia Success Manager to schedule division-specific professional learning. 
• For more information, contact vatutoring@lexialearning.com

Statewide Access to New Teacher Support Program

The REACH Virginia program is now accessible to all school divisions as a collaborative network of new teacher mentor program leaders from across the Commonwealth. Funded by the General Assembly through the VDOE, this initiative provides resources to support new teachers, opportunities for professional development, and no-cost membership in the network.  For more information or to join the program, email REACH Virginia Program Directors.

Virginia Literacy Act October Support Webinars

Article: 2024-39-421
Audience: Superintendents, Directors, School Principals, Teachers
Contact: Jill Nogueras, Associate Director of English Literacy K-12, Jill.Nogueras@doe.virginia.gov

In partnership, the Virginia Department of Education (VDOE) and members of Virginia Literacy Partnerships (VLP) will host webinars to support divisions in the implementation of the Virginia Literacy Act as related to gifted populations and English Learners. Webinars will be hosted following the schedule below: 

• VDOE Virginia Literacy Act and Gifted Education Webinar on October 29, 9:30 a.m.-10:00 am. 
• VDOE English Learners and the Virginia Literacy Act Webinar on October 29, 1:00 p.m. -1:30 p.m. 

A Zoom link will be sent to division instructional leaders (literacy, gifted, and EL coordinators) who have been designated as such in SSWS to register for the webinar.? Division leaders will need to register to attend these sessions.?? 

Division leaders can reach out to vla@doe.virginia.gov for more information on registration.? 

• New division literacy, gifted, or EL leaders will need to contact the school division Educational Registry Application (ERA) manager for the Single Sign-on for Web Systems (SSWS) platform to update contact information.

State Articles of Interest  

Virginia legislators look to change K-12 funding formula after 50 years | WVTF

Va. Senate Dems propose school cellphone restriction bill with more exceptions

Va. Senate Dems propose school cellphone restriction bill with more exceptions

Online teaching certification, iTeach, expands in Northern Virginia

Hanover court dismisses transgender model policies suit | VPM

Virginia Attorney General says school threats will be met with consequences

Albemarle teachers vote ‘overwhelmingly’ in favor of union representation

Virginia legislators look to change K-12 funding formula after 50 years | WVTF

State releases final guidance for banning cell phones in public schools

National Articles of Interest

Black girls face disproportionate discipline rates in every state | K-12 Dive

Rising Leaders: 10 standout assistant principals and district leaders you should know in 2024-25 | K-12 Dive

The average U.S. student is less than halfway to full academic recovery | K-12 Dive

Despite growing gun violence concerns, teachers say drills don’t help | K-12 Dive

Student cellphone limits raise concerns over disability rights | K-12 Dive

How a Tennessee district is expanding its virtual academy | K-12 Dive

Aging infrastructure, budget constraints weigh on K-12 facilities teams: survey

DOE Updates

Cell Phone-Free Education Final Guidance & Resources

Article: 2024-37-387
Audience: Superintendents, Directors, School Principals, Teachers, Non-teaching staff
Contact: Office of Communications, Communications@doe.virginia.gov

After listening to and reviewing the thousands of comments and suggestions from Virginians on how to bring cell phone-free education to our children’s schools, VDOE has published final guidance for school divisions on policies and procedures to be implemented to establish cell phone-free education and remove cell phones from Virginia’s public school classrooms. 

VDOE has also published the School Leader Implementation Toolkit, in addition to other resources on our website.

Generative AI in K-12 Classroom WorkshopsVDOE in partnership with Germanna Community College, is offering free workshops across the Commonwealth to advance the use of Generative AI in K-12 classrooms. These sessions, titled “Introducing Generative AI to K-12 Teachers,” aim to revolutionize education by empowering educators with cutting-edge technology. Division leaders are encouraged to share this opportunity with K-12 content area and resource teachers, ITRTs, librarians, and other educators involved in technology integration. Attendees are expected to share their knowledge with colleagues to inform classroom, school, and division practices and policies. Registration is required.