News & Updates for Parents
The Office of Parental Engagement is committed to providing families across the Commonwealth with the latest resources and information about educational opportunities.
April is National Volunteer Month
National Volunteer Month is a great time for parents to volunteer within their child's school. There are many ways to support your child’s school through volunteering such as lunchroom monitoring, offering to be a guest speaker, reading to a class, mentoring, joining the PTA, tutoring, and more! Use the steps below to get started.
- Check your district website for volunteer registration information.
- Reach out to your child's school to ask about volunteer opportunities.
- Reach out to your local PTA to request information about engagement and volunteer opportunities.
- Your local school division has designed their own programs as outlined in the High-Intensity Tutoring Playbook for tutoring options for students in Grades 3-8 in both reading and math. To be ALL In with tutoring, click HERE.
Let’s continue to #ElevateEducators together!
Public Comment on Lab School Applications
On April 11, 2024, the College Partnership Laboratory Schools Standing Committee accepted the following college partnership laboratory school applications for first and final review:
- College Partnership Laboratory School Application from Emory and Henry College
- College Partnership Laboratory School Application from George Mason University
- College Partnership Laboratory School Application from Roanoke College
- College Partnership Laboratory School Application from Paul D. Camp Community College
- College Partnership Laboratory School Application from Old Dominion University (Chesapeake)
- College Partnership Laboratory School Application from Old Dominion University (Newport News)
The Standing Committee also directed the VDOE to post the lab school application for public comment and send the applications to be considered by the Board of Education at its next meeting.
In order to provide appropriate input from parents, teachers, and other interested parties and to obtain information to assist in its evaluation of the lab school application, the Board of Education is seeking public comment on each application through the following forms:
- College Partnership Laboratory School Application from Emory and Henry College Public Comment Form
- College Partnership Laboratory School Application from George Mason University Public Comment Form
- College Partnership Laboratory School Application from Roanoke College Public Comment Form
- College Partnership Laboratory School Application from Paul D. Camp Community College Public Comment Form
- College Partnership Laboratory School Application from Old Dominion University (Chesapeake)
- College Partnership Laboratory School Application from Old Dominion University (Newport News)
Public comments for these applications will be accepted through April 25, 2024.
Poe Museum Student Poe-try Contest
Parents, if you child is an aspiring young poet, they are encouraged to compose an original poem inspired by Edgar Allan Poe's writings to honor National Poetry Month at the Poe Museum. Entries for middle and high school students are welcome. The winning students' artwork will be posted on the Poe Museum website, and they will also get a swag bag from the museum. A complimentary virtual field trip will be given to the sponsoring teacher.
For additional information, view the submission form below.
Submissions Due: April 30th, 2024 at 11:59 p.m.
The Poe Museum hosts quarterly free family days at the museum. For more information, click HERE.
Department of Education Releases Spring Standards of Learning Parent Reports
Resources which are designed to help parents better understand their child’s progress this school year can be found on the Parent Resources under the Assessment tab.
Join us for a live, virtual training event, Critical Decision Points for Families of Children with Disabilities
The purpose of this training is to assist families in understanding the following:
- What are some of the keys to your child's academic success?
- What decisions will you need to make regarding your child's educational path?
- At what point will you be making these decisions? In this training,
we refer to these as critical decision points. - What information will you need so that you can make the most well-informed decisions possible for your child?
Part One will be held on Wednesday, May 8, 2024, from 6-8 p.m. Part Two will be held on Wednesday, May 15, 2024, from 6-8 p.m. You will need to attend both sessions in order to receive all the information.
The Critical Decision Points Registration will be limited to 100 participants, on a first come, first served basis, with priority given to people who have not attended previously. Families who are new to the special education process, as well as those families who are more familiar are welcome. The training will be provided by Virginia Department of Education (VDOE) staff members. Additional details regarding this training will be provided upon registration.
Questions regarding this event should be directed to Dr. Chiquita Seaborne by phone at (804) 418-4672, or by email at Chiquita.Seaborne@doe.virginia.gov.
Lexia is proud to partner with families and the Virginia Department of Education to help fulfill the state's ALL In Tutoring!
Lexia is excited to announce that they are now offering information sessions specifically designed for Virginia families. In these sessions, parents and families can expect to learn how Lexia will accelerate their child’s literacy growth and how they can be ALL in with at-home strategies to support their learner!
Parents and families can register for an upcoming session by creating an account HERE. Step-by-step instructions on how to create an account can be found HERE.
Upcoming Core5 Sessions are designed for families of Elementary students.
- Tuesday, May 7 4:00 p.m. - 4:45 p.m. (EST)
- Tuesday, May 14 5:00 p.m. - 5:45 p.m. (EST)
- Tuesday, May 21 4:00 p.m. - 4:45 p.m. (EST)
- Tuesday, May 28 5:00 p.m. - 5:45 p.m. (EST)
Upcoming PowerUp Sessions are designed for families of Secondary students.
- Monday, May 1 4:00 - 4:45 p.m. (EST)
- Monday, May 8 5:00 - 5:45 p.m. (EST)
- Monday, May 15 4:00 - 4:45 p.m. (EST)
- Monday, May 22 5:00 - 5:45 p.m. (EST)
A flyer about these sessions is available to be distributed to families.
For more information view additional Lexia Family Resources and visit Lexia’s All In Tutoring page.
Review & Revision of the 2017 Computer Science Standards of Learning
UPDATE: Public Hearings for the Proposed DRAFT 2024 Computer Science Standards of Learning
The Virginia Board of Education will hold public hearings regarding the revisions to the 2017 Computer Science Standards of Learning. The Standards of Learning identify academic content for essential components of the computer science curriculum at different grade levels for Virginia’s public schools. Public comment regarding the proposed 2024 Computer Science Standards of Learning may be offered through the public comment form or public hearings.
The public comment form will be available April 25, 2024 - May 31, 2024.
Public hearings will take place April 29, 2024 - May 20, 2024.
Public Hearings — In-Person
Each in-person public hearing will begin at 6:30 p.m. Registration of speakers will begin at 6:10 p.m. Speakers will have three minutes to speak and should bring copies of their comments for the Board of Education. Location and date can be located HERE.
Public Hearings — Virtual
Virtual public hearings will be held at a variety of times to accommodate the public. Pre-registration will be required for virtual public hearings. Registrants will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the public hearing. Speakers will have three minutes to speak and are asked to submit copies of their comments electronically for the Board of Education. Dates and time can be located HERE.
The Code of Virginia requires a review of Virginia's Standards of Learning every seven years. The 2017 Computer Science Stands of Learning were adopted in 2017 and are scheduled for review in 2023-2024.
For more information, click HERE.
Revision of the 2016 Mathematics Standards of Learning
2023 Mathematics Standards of Learning
The 2023 Mathematics Standards of Learning were approved by the Virginia Board of Education on August 31, 2023. The 2023 Mathematics Standards of Learning represent "best in class" standards and comprise the mathematics content that teachers in Virginia are expected to teach and students are expected to learn. The 2023 Mathematics Standards of Learning will be fully implemented during the 2024-2025 school year.
2023 Mathematics Standards of Learning Documents
For more information, refer to the 2023 Mathematics Standards of Learning webpage.
Revision of the 2016 Mathematics Standards of Learning
The Code of Virginia requires a review of Virginia’s Standards of Learning every seven years. The 2016 Mathematics Standards of Learning were adopted in 2016 and are scheduled for review in 2022-2023.
School Safety Resources
Executive Directive 6: Student Safety Resources Considerations for Schools and Families: VDOE published safety resources designed to promote the safety of Virginia’s religious and ethnic communities and help combat incidents of antisemitism, anti-religious bigotry, and ethnic-based violence.
Level Up Virginia: Postsecondary Readiness
Level Up Virginia is a statewide initiative led by the State Council of Higher Education for Virginia and the VDOE to increase postsecondary readiness, enrollment, and completion for all students in the Commonwealth. The Level Up Virginia website provides information on various educational options, including certificate programs, apprenticeships, the military, trade schools, two-year and four-year colleges, and universities. It also offers guidance on how to prepare, apply, finance, and decide on postsecondary pathways. The website now features Spanish and Arabic translations to assist students and families.
Special Populations
Parents and families of students with disabilities receiving services through an individualized education program may not be aware of available services and eligibility of students for various waiver programs in Virginia designed to provide resources to support students and their families.
The Virginia Department of Medical Assistance Services administers the three available developmental disabilities waivers jointly with the Virginia Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services. There is a waiting list for these waivers, and the slots are assigned based on urgency of need. Additional information regarding waivers is available on the Virginia Department of Medical Assistance Services website.
Families can apply for a waiver by contacting their local Community Services Board (CSB) or by visiting the Virginia Association of Community Services Boards website to locate the CSB in their community.