Virginia Department of Education's Training and Technical Assistance Center (T/TAC)

Exciting opportunity for the 2024-25 school year!  Join the Virginia Tech and Radford University T/TACs in September as we kick off a year long community of practice for middle school grade-level general and special educators from Region 6 & 7  focusing on making math more accessible and meaningful for all our students. Receive a FREE copy of Mastering Math Manipulatives: Hands-On and Virtual Activities for Building and Connecting Mathematical Ideas Grades 4-8.

Virtual discussions for this interactive book study will occur in the afternoon on the second Tuesday of the month, October 2024 through April 2025. Become a part of this dynamic learning community. Space limited to 30 participants.

• General Educators - Mastering Math Manipulatives CoP Registration
• Special Educators - Mastering Math Manipulatives CoP Registration

For more information,  please contact Sue Schulz at suschulz@vt.edu or Kitty Wade at kittywms@vt.edu. 

With the passage of the Virginia Literacy Act (VLA) in the 2022 General Assembly, Virginia is taking the lead nationwide to improve early literacy outcomes for Virginia’s young learners. Through the VLA, the Virginia Department of Education (VDOE) will support school divisions through a multi-year effort with tools, resources, technical assistance and funding.  Beginning in the 2024-2025 school year:

• Every student in kindergarten to grade five will receive core literacy instruction based in scientifically based reading research and evidence-based literacy instruction, as defined in the VLA. Students in kindergarten through grade eight will also receive evidence-based supplemental instruction and intervention, as outlined in an individualized student reading plan, if they do not meet literacy benchmarks.
• Every family will have access to online resources to support literacy development at home, and will be able to participate in the development of their child’s student reading plan, if their child does not meet literacy benchmarks.
• Every teacher will use evidence-based literacy curriculum, assess student learning using approved literacy screeners, use student-level data to inform instruction and intervention, and participate in pre-service preparation or training on evidence-based literacy instruction.
• Every reading specialist, in consultation with classroom teachers, will coordinate and oversee intervention for students not meeting literacy benchmarks, and will develop and monitor student progress on student reading plans, working closely with families and teachers.
• Every division will develop a literacy plan, ensure the use of evidence-based literacy curriculum, staff enough reading specialists to support intervention needs, and provide professional development to support teachers, reading specialists, and principals.

Current resources and materials for educators and families aligned with the Virginia Literacy Act can be found at:

• The Virginia Department of Education's VLA Webpage
• The Virginia Literacy Partnerships Webpage