{"id":4629,"date":"2026-10-05T15:49:05","date_gmt":"2026-10-05T19:49:05","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/news.vassp.org\/?p=4629"},"modified":"2026-10-05T15:49:06","modified_gmt":"2026-10-05T19:49:06","slug":"vassp-member-update-october-5-2026","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/news.vassp.org\/?p=4629","title":{"rendered":"VASSP Member Update, October 5, 2026"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

State Articles of Interest <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Teacher vacancies down 40% in Henrico’s public schools since start of 2025-26 school year<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Fairfax County Public Schools’ teachers push back on weapons detection duty<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Drug testing for new school hires lands on Spotsylvania’s legislative wish list – Fredericksburg Free Press<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Schools across region describe ongoing hunt for substitute teachers<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Virginia education board approves new rules for local student assessments<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Why some parents struggle with \u2018new math\u2019 and how one school is helping<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The state has made some changes to high school graduation requirements. Here’s what to know. – Cardinal News<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

ID cards in works for bus riders in Halifax County Public Schools | Education |<\/a> yourgv.com<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

National Articles of Interest<\/strong>                          <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Progress to reduce chronic absenteeism slows nationwide | K-12 Dive<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

When should students take algebra? | K-12 Dive<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

AI Guidance Needed<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

K-12 cases to watch during the Supreme Court\u2019s 2026-27 term<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

How many states are embracing strategic teacher pay policies? | K-12 Dive<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

SAT scores are up across the board for class of 2026 | K-12 Dive<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

DOE Updates<\/strong> <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Announcing the CTE Rural Health Transformation Program Grant \u2013 Due October 23<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Article:<\/strong> 2026-38-440
Audience:<\/strong> Superintendents, Directors
Contact:<\/strong> William Hatch, Associate Director, Office of Career and Technical Education at CTE@doe.virginia.gov<\/p>\n\n\n\n

VDOE has received approximately $9.4?million through the Rural Health Transformation Program (RHTP) Grant to support funding opportunities to strengthen healthcare access, delivery, and outcomes in rural communities. These investments directly benefit Career and Technical Education (CTE) Health and Medical Sciences programs by expanding healthcare career pathways for students.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

VDOE is seeking RHTP grant applications from 75 rural school divisions and 3 regional technical centers (listed in Attachment A<\/a>) as determined by the Federal Office of Rural Health Policy, with an estimated award of $120,868. Additional funding may be available depending on applicant volume. The CTE RHTP Grant Application<\/a> is due to the VDOE by 5 p.m. on October 23. The completed application should not exceed ten pages, and should include the budget, contact information, cover page, project narrative, and the signed statement of assurance.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Interested applicants may register<\/a> for the CTE RHTP Grant informational webinar scheduled for October 8, at 11 a.m. Additional information about this grant opportunity is available on the Virginia Rural Health Transformation<\/a> website which includes opportunities to engage, next steps for implementation, and ways stakeholders and community members can get involved.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Teachers\u2019 Lounge Makeover Opportunity!<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Virginia Lottery, in partnership with The Supply Room, is launching its newest Thank a Teacher promotion, the Teachers\u2019 Lounge Makeover<\/em>. All Virginia K-12 public schools are eligible to be nominated for a $10,000 Teachers\u2019 Lounge Makeover, creating a comfortable, welcoming, and inspiring space where educators can recharge, connect, and celebrate their dedication to students. Teachers, school staff, parents, and community members age 18 and older can nominate<\/a> their favorite Virginia public school from now through October 6. Two lucky schools will win.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

School Librarian Resource Hub<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Office of Innovation has also introduced the School Librarian Resource Hub, designed for school librarians, library media specialists, library assistants, and division-level leaders who directly support these roles. This hub offers VDOE updates, professional learning and collaboration opportunities. Interested participants may request access by completing the School Librarian Resource Hub Access Form<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ed. Department Updates<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Department Rescinds Biden Era Illegal Title IX Rewrite, Reinstating 2020 Regulation<\/strong> <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Department rescinded<\/a> the Biden Administration\u2019s illegal regulation implementing Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972. The action reinstates the first Trump Administration\u2019s 2020 Title IX rule in the Code of Federal Regulations, providing clear guidance<\/a> for parents, students, and educational institutions on the legal requirements of Title IX.?Since the first days of the Administration<\/a>, President Trump and Secretary McMahon have abided by the original purpose of Title IX<\/a>: to protect women\u2019s safety, dignity, and educational opportunities in schools that receive federal funding. In contrast, the Biden Administration pushed schools across the country to illegally allow males to intrude into women\u2019s sports and intimate facilities, and it investigated school staff for using incorrect pronouns or failing to ask students to declare a preferred gender.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Administration Advances America\u2019s First Nationwide School Choice Program<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Department of the Treasury and the Internal Revenue Service issued<\/a> proposed regulations to implement the new Federal Scholarship Tax Credit under section 25F, commonly known as the Education Freedom Tax Credit<\/a>, the first federal tax credit supporting private contributions for K-12 scholarships. Under the proposed regulations, eligible taxpayers may claim an annual credit of up to $1,700 for qualifying contributions, or up to $3,400 for married couples filing jointly. The proposed regulations advance the Administration\u2019s priorities of expanding educational freedom, restoring parental rights, returning power to the states, and putting American students first.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

State Articles of Interest  Teacher vacancies down 40% in Henrico’s public schools since start of 2025-26 school year Fairfax County Public Schools’ teachers push back on weapons detection duty Drug testing for new school hires lands on Spotsylvania’s legislative wish list – Fredericksburg Free Press Schools across region describe ongoing hunt for substitute teachers Virginia … <\/p>\n

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