Virginia Advisory Committee for Advanced Learners (VACAL)

About VACAL

In 2024, the Virginia Advisory Committee for Advanced Learning (VACAL) was established by the Virginia Board of Education to address the needs of current learners across the Commonwealth and serve as the Board’s advisory body to provide input and guidance on the needs in Advanced Learning, Governor’s Schools, and in Gifted Education and more broadly inform the work of the Board.

VACAL will be charged to support and advise the Board on expanding and strengthening opportunities and programming for all academically and/or intellectually gifted, and advanced students to maximize their potential for success.  Programming includes Gifted Education, Academic-Year Governor's Schools, Summer Regional Governor's Schools, Summer Residential Governor's Schools, Advanced Placement/International Baccalaureate, and Presidential Scholars.

VACAL’s 22 representatives will include 16 members from Regions 1 through 8, consisting of one division employee or administrator affiliated with Gifted Education and/or advanced academic programming and one parent from each Region; one Academic Year Governor’s School (AYGS) Director; one Higher Education representative; one private school employee affiliated with Gifted Education and/or advanced academic programming; one division superintendent; one nationally-recognized expert in Gifted Education and/or advanced academic programming; and one Virginia Department of Education representative (ex-officio, non-voting).

The committee meets four times during the school year.  All meetings are open to the public.  Persons wishing to address the group during the public comment time are welcome to register with Amanda Nevetral, Director, Office of Advanced Learning.  Speakers representing formal groups are welcome to speak for five minutes; others are provided three minutes to address the committee.

Meeting Agendas & Minutes

2024

Meeting Dates: TBD