News from our Content Specialists and Special Education
August Virginia Literacy Act Updates
Article: 2024-30-289
Audience: Superintendents, Directors, School Principals, Teachers
Contact: Jill Nogueras, Associate Director of K-12 English & Literacy, [email protected]
To support school divisions as they continue to implement the VLA, VDOE has released an extensive update on the Virginia Literacy Act.In this edition of the Literacy Update, division's literacy leaders will be able to access the updated spreadsheet to enroll teachers and reading specialists in the required Canvas courses. Further details and instructions are in the Professional Development section of the update.
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Instructional Materials
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Use of VALLSS and Student Reading Plans
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Professional Development
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Planning
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Frequently Asked Questions from the Field
Superintendents are asked to share these resources with key literacy staff and principals.
HB1477 Seat Time Flexibility
Article: 2024-30-287
Audience: Superintendents, Directors, School Principals
Contact:Em Cooper, Deputy Superintendent for Teaching & Learning, [email protected].gov
During the 2024 Legislative Session, HB 1477was passed to provide school boards maximum flexibility around K-12 seat time or required instructional hours. This allows schools to shift away from time-bound credits to a system of learning aligned to students' needs and interests based on mastering learning and skills needed for them to thrive after graduation.
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A redefinition of K-12 "instructional hours" enables principals and school division superintendents to have the flexibility to create learning experiences, environments, and timelines that will be more engaging for students - not when and how long they are physically present in a school building or course.
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This concept builds upon the work from the personalized learning plans of the Bridging the Gapinitiative.
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This approach allows students to progress at a flexible pace, so they can move on when they have mastered the material.
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On December 12, 2023, the Board of Education adopted one of the 7SOQ Prescriptionsfocused on seat time flexibility.
Over the next few months, VDOE will take key actions steps to begin implementation of this work.
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VDOE will host virtual and in-person feedback sessions to gather input on instructional time models and guidelines, the waiver, and processes for school boards.
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VDOE will create division- and school-level implementation guidance and bring suggested revisions to the Standards of Accreditation that allows maximum flexibility to the Board beginning in September.
All schools or divisions are welcome to contact the VDOE for further information or support in implementation of seat time flexibility.
Call for Grades 6-8 Supplemental and Intervention Programs for Review
Article: 2024-30-292
Audience: Superintendents, Directors, School Principals, Teachers, Non-teaching staff, Curriculum Publishers
Contact: [email protected]
The Virginia Department of Education (VDOE) is seeking applications from providers of:
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Grades 6-8 literacy supplemental instructional programs
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Grades 6-8 literacy intervention instructional programs
The Virginia Literacy Actrequires the VDOE to recommend literacy instructional programs - including core (K-5), supplemental (K-8), and intervention (K-8) materials - that provide evidence-based literacy instruction (EBLI) aligned with science-based reading research (SBRR) for approval by the Virginia Board of Education (VBOE). In partnership with Virginia Literacy Partnerships (VLP) at the University of Virginia, the VDOE is opening a review cycle for grades 6-8 supplemental and intervention programs. The application window will open on August 28, 2024and will close on September 13, 2024at noon EST.
All 6-8 supplemental and intervention programs that wish to be considered for the VDOE approval list must submit an application during this cycle, regardless of whether or not that program has previously submitted an application. The rubrics for grades 6-8 supplemental and intervention programs have been updated to best fit the needs of this age range; for this purpose, all 6-8 programs must submit an application using this updated rubric.
Rubrics will be available at this siteby August 14, 2024, in advance of the program submission window opening on August 28. Interested curriculum providers and/or divisions should submitapplications for review by noon on September 13. Please note that submission of materials either in hard copy or via email will not be accepted.
Superintendents are asked to ensure that supplemental and intervention literacy resources currently used in 6-8 classrooms are submitted(if they have not already been reviewed). Please inform any applicable providers to submitresources for review.
Science Safety Training for Division Leaders
Article: 2024-30-296
Audience: Superintendents, Directors, Science Instructional Leaders
Contact: Laura Casdorph, Science Coordinator, [email protected]
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) requires schools and divisions to update chemical inventories, review chemical hygiene plans, conduct classroom safety tours with facility personnel, and plan for yearly safety professional development for teachers of science. VDOE has a variety of resources to support these efforts. The following resources are available in our Science Leader Support Canvas Course (enrollment link):
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VDOE Safety in Science Teaching Manual
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Safety self assessments
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Classroom safety look-fors
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Templates for a chemical hygiene plan
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Guidance for animals in the classroom
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Guidance for elementary science safety
Additionally, a Science Leaders Safety Webinar will be offered on August 14, 2024, at 9 a.m. Division science and instructional leaders may register for the webinar using this registration link. The webinar will review division, school, and teacher responsibilities for laboratory safety, review negligence, analyze case students, discuss plans for building a safety culture, discuss how to plan for safety in instruction, and review resources available for safety.
Science Standards of Learning Review
Article: 2024-30-286
Audience: Superintendents, Directors, School Principals, Teachers, Science Instructional Leaders
Contact: Laura Casdorph, Science Coordinator, [email protected]
Due to the delayed implementation of the 2018 Science Standards of Learning, the current Kindergarten-Physics Standards are being reviewed for format; all concepts and practices will remain the same in the 2025 version of the Science Standards of Learning.Updates will be made to the standards in order toprovide clarity and increased specificity at the request of stakeholders. The 2025 Science Standards of Learning will include standards for the eleven Board-approved courses that currently have content guidelines.
First review of the 2025 Science Standards of Learning is anticipatedat the October 24, 2024,Board of Education meeting with anticipatedimplementation of the Standards in the 2025-2026 academic year.
STEM+C Grant Application Window Now Open
Article: 2024-30-291
Audience: Directors, School Principals, Teachers
Contact: Anne Petersen, STEM Director, [email protected]
The STEM+C competition grant application is available to schools that are planning to start a STEM+C competition team or expand existing competition teams. Schools may apply for up to $5,000 of funding per team to support up to two competition teams in the 2024-2025 academic year. Schools may receive a maximum funding amount of $10,000. The purpose of the STEM competition team is to:
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Increase awareness of careers in science, technology, engineering, mathematics, and computer science (STEM+C) among teachers and students.
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Engage students in extracurricular, STEM+C-related team-building activities through problem-based, project-based team competitions.
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Foster STEM+C competition team development and growth throughout Virginia.
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Focus on STEM+C literacy skills through hands-on experiences. These experiences will include problem-driven integrated STEM+C activities that use collaboration, communication, creativity, critical thinking, and ethics to explore the challenges and opportunities of the STEM+C Competition Team Grant Initiative.
The 2024 Guidelines for the General Requirements pf Qualifying for the STEM+C Competition Grant and the STEM+C Competition Grant Application (Year 1) can be found at VDOE STEM. STEM+C Competition Grant Application (Year 2) will be sent directly to schools that had a Year 1 grant in 2023-2024. Completed applications are due to the VDOE Office of STEM on or before 4 p.m. on September 13, 2024.
For questions concerning the STEM Competition Grant or on STEM education, please reach out to Anne Petersen, STEM Director([email protected])
Hazing Resources Available
Article: 2024-30-285
Audience: Superintendents, Directors, School Principals, Teachers
Contact: Anne Petersen, Director of STEM, [email protected]
In support of HB 719/SB 379, the Love Like Adam Foundation has made Hazing Awareness and Prevention materialsavailable to Virginia school boards, division leaders, and educators through #GoOpenVA, Virginia's online open resource portal. Resources include a parent presentation, public service announcements for school use, lesson plans, pre-and post-assessments, and supporting materials.
The Love Like Adam Foundationwas established in honor of Adam Jeffrey Oakes, a freshman at Virginia Commonwealth University when his life was tragically cut short on February 27th, 2021, from hazing. The foundation is dedicated to raising awareness of the potential dangers students face on college campuses. This includes but is not limited to hazing, signs of alcohol poisoning, and bystander intervention.
Additionally available is the video, Death of a Pledge: The Adam Oakes Story, a National Capital Chesapeake Bay Regional Emmy Award Winning documentary, which tells the story of Adam Oakes. Students will learn about what happened to Adam from various perspectives including his family and the boys involved in his passing. The video focuses on the impact hazing can have on all those involved. Divisions can contact the Love Like Adam Foundation for free virtual or in-person training.
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