Posts Tagged Virginia Schools
Virginia school boards: striking a balance between transparency and order
Posted by Nick Gilmore in Virginia's News on May 6, 2022
School boards across Virginia are dealing with sometimes hostile parents and potentially dangerous situations. But as Michael Pope reports, they also have to manage the legal requirements for open meetings.
Lunch debt legislation headed to Youngkin’s desk
Posted by Nick Gilmore in Virginia's News on March 9, 2022
Governor Glenn Youngkin is now considering legislation that’s passed the House and the Senate. As Michael Pope reports, one of those bills is about school lunch debt.
Bill limiting excessive testing in Virginia schools likely to move forward
Posted by Nick Gilmore in Virginia's News on January 18, 2022
Members of the General Assembly are considering a bill to simplify how students are tested in public schools. Michael Pope reports.
Lawmakers will consider how much say school officials have over crime reporting
Posted by Nick Gilmore in Virginia's News on November 24, 2021
How much discretion should school officials have about contacting law enforcement when they suspect a crime has been committed? Michael Pope reports on a bill that would take away some of that discretion.
The pandemic and its impact on instruction is wreaking havoc on some school kids
Posted by Nick Gilmore in Virginia's News on November 23, 2021
Research is still being conducted, but early data suggests about 20% of school children are experiencing moderate to clinical levels of psychological trauma symptoms – things like anxiety, depression or even aggression. Nick Gilmore reports.
Virginia Ranks Towards the Bottom in Education Spending Per Student
Posted by Nick Gilmore in Virginia's News on September 9, 2021
Virginia is one of the wealthiest states in America. But as Michael Pope reports, it also ranks toward the bottom of the pack for education spending.
Concerns Over Distribution of Funds for School HVAC Upgrades Heating Up
Posted by Nick Gilmore in Virginia's News on August 16, 2021
Schools across Virginia are about to get federal stimulus money to help them pay for upgrades to their HVAC systems. But, some are concerned about how that money will be distributed. Michael Pope reports.
Advocates Lament Lack of Funding for Social Services at Community Schools
Posted by Nick Gilmore in Virginia's News on August 13, 2021
Many advocates across Virginia are hoping local community schools could become a hub for social services. But, they’re dealing with a major setback. Michael Pope reports.
Declining Birth Rates May Transform Virginia Schools
Posted by Nick Gilmore in Virginia's News on July 7, 2021
The declining birth rate is having an influence over planning in school divisions across Virginia. It’s a discussion that’s playing out while lawmakers are trying to figure out what to do with stimulus money. Michael Pope reports.
American Rescue Plan Money is Headed to Virginia; How Should the State Use It?
Posted by Nick Gilmore in Virginia's News on June 16, 2021
The federal government is about to spend millions of dollars to rescue Virginia schools. So how will all that money be spent? Michael Pope reports.
Experts Say Virginia Needs to Hire Many More Teachers and Support Staff
Posted by Nick Gilmore in Virginia's News on June 4, 2021
Students are flocking to Virginia schools. But, those schools are not adding staff to support all those new students. Michael Pope has details.
ARP Funding: How Should Virginia School Divisions Use It?
Posted by Nick Gilmore in Virginia's News on May 24, 2021
School divisions across Virginia are about to come into a large sum of money thanks to the American Rescue Plan. Michael Pope reports on the debate about what to do with all that money.
Virginia Teachers Will Soon Undergo Cultural Competency Training Under New Law
Posted by Nick Gilmore in Virginia's News on March 11, 2021
Virginia history is complicated, and now teachers in Virginia will have help explaining some of the racial elements to students. Michael Pope reports.
Legislation Requiring In-Person Instruction Currently Under Consideration by House of Delegates
Posted by Nick Gilmore in Virginia's News on February 22, 2021
On Monday, some students in Henrico County returned to in-person learning. Governor Northam has asked all schools to have an in-person option by March 15th. A bill in the General Assembly would require it by this summer. Jahd Khalil has this report from Richmond.
Northam: Virginia School Divisions Should Offer an In-Person Option by March 15th
Posted by Nick Gilmore in Virginia's News on February 5, 2021
After the pandemic caused Governor Ralph Northam to close Virginia’s public schools last spring, he says it’s now time to reopen. Nick Gilmore has details.
State Education Officials Say Many Students Have Some Catching Up to Do Thanks to the Pandemic
Posted by Nick Gilmore in Virginia's News on February 4, 2021
The pandemic prompted Virginia public schools to call off the Standards of Learning test used to assess student achievement statewide, but other measures point to trouble at a time when many kids are expected to learn online. Sandy Hausman has that story.
Virginia School Divisions Could Get Some Help with Expanding Broadband Access
Posted by Nick Gilmore in Virginia's News on January 21, 2021
School divisions across Virginia are struggling to make sure they have the kind of broadband connections necessary for distance learning. Michael Pope reports on a bill in the General Assembly that might help.
Suetterlein Bill Meant to Provide More Flexibility for Schools, Not Kill Snow Days
Posted by Nick Gilmore in Virginia's News on January 15, 2021
After the pandemic is over, schools across Virginia might end up continuing some version of virtual education. Michael Pope reports.
Northam: Vaccination Efforts Ramping Up, New Guidelines for Reopening Schools
Posted by Nick Gilmore in Virginia's News on January 14, 2021
Virginia’s governor announced plans to speed up vaccine distribution and the reopening of schools. Nick Gilmore has details.
You can find that new guidance from the Virginia Department of Education here.
State Lawmakers Face Unique Challenge With Doling Out Education Funding Next Year
Posted by Nick Gilmore in Virginia's News on December 11, 2020
Lawmakers will return to Richmond next month – and writing a new budget will be a priority. But, they’ll have to answer some questions about what kind of assumptions they want to make about schools. Michael Pope reports.
State Lawmakers Briefed on School Enrollment and the Pandemic’s Impact
Posted by Nick Gilmore in Virginia's News on November 12, 2020
Virginia schools are seeing declining enrollment – lawmakers heard details about that during a presentation from the Department of Education Thursday. Mallory Noe-Payne has more.
Think School Segregation Ended in the 50’s? This Study says it’s Increasing.
Posted by Nick Gilmore in Virginia's News on November 11, 2020
School segregation is getting worse in Virginia, not better. And one driving factor is segregation within school districts. Those are the findings of a new report out Wednesday from researchers at VCU. Mallory Noe-Payne reports.
Officials Hope New VDH Tool Will Help Virginia School Divisions
Posted by Nick Gilmore in Virginia's News on September 28, 2020

State health officials continue to roll out more tools to help in the ongoing fight against COVID-19. And as Nick Gilmore reports, they hope the newest one will help school divisions across Virginia.
In the Age of COVID-19, Should Every Virginia School Have a Nurse?
Posted by Nick Gilmore in Virginia's News on August 17, 2020

Credit: Wellness GM / Flickr, Creative Commons: flickr.com/photos/130100316@N04/15728773073/
School systems across Virginia are trying to figure out how they can reopen for face-to-face classes. And, they might be getting some help from lawmakers. Michael Pope reports.
Virginia Faces Hefty Price Tag to Send Kids Back to School
Posted by Nick Gilmore in Virginia's News on July 13, 2020
The question about when and how to reopen schools isn’t just a question about health and safety. As Michael Pope reports, it’s also a matter of dollars and cents.
School Reopening Efforts are Becoming Increasingly Political
Posted by Nick Gilmore in Virginia's News on July 8, 2020
School is out for summer. But what happens when classes start again this fall?
Michael Pope has this preview of the coming political debate over the fall semester.
Defund the Police? One Suggestion is to Work Towards Ending the School to Prison Pipeline
Posted by Nick Gilmore in Virginia's News on June 23, 2020
Calls to defund the police are echoing across the country, but where should the money go? Cat Modlin-Jackson has this report about what it will take to dismantle the school to prison pipeline.
Virginia Schools Face Another Financial Crisis Thanks to COVID-19 and Economic Woes
Posted by Nick Gilmore in Virginia's News on June 10, 2020
In August, lawmakers will return to Richmond for a special session, and money for schools will be one of the key areas they’ll focus on. Michael Pope reports.
State Officials Outline Plan for Reopening Virginia’s Public Schools This Fall
Posted by Nick Gilmore in Virginia's News on June 9, 2020

Governor Ralph Northam during a recent COVID-19 update.
State officials outlined a plan Tuesday to reopen Virginia’s public and private schools this fall amid the ongoing pandemic. Nick Gilmore has details.
Here is more information from Governor Northam on the school plan, and details about what each phase of his reopening plan will mean for the state’s schools.
Effort to Implement Transgender Student Policies for Virginia Schools Moves On
Posted by Nick Gilmore in Virginia's News on January 10, 2020

Democratic Senator Jennifer Boysko of Herndon has a bill that would require the Department of Education to come up with a model policy. It passed in a subcommittee Friday. (Credit: Senate of Virginia)
Schools across Virginia may soon have a standard set of rules for how to deal with transgender students. Michael Pope reports.
The Effort to Diversify Virginia’s Teachers
Posted by Nick Gilmore in Virginia's News on July 31, 2019
The vast majority of teachers in Virginia are white, a cause of concern for some who say more diversity is needed in the classroom. Michael Pope reports.
Is Aid to High-Poverty Schools Distributed Fairly?
Posted by Nick Gilmore in Virginia's News on March 4, 2019

Credit: dcJohn / Flickr
School divisions with students who live in poverty are about to get some extra funding. Michael Pope is breaking down the numbers.
Virginia’s Schools May Soon Be Able to Decide Whether to Open Before Labor Day
Posted by Nick Gilmore in Virginia's News on February 12, 2019

King Dominion’s “Dominator” roller coaster. The Richmond-area amusement park has long been opposed to efforts to reverse a law requiring public schools to open after Labor Day weekend. (Credit: daveynin / Flickr)
School divisions across Virginia may be on the verge of starting classes before Labor Day, or least having that option. Michael Pope reports.
Virginia Schools Have A Funding Gap New Report Finds
Posted by Nick Gilmore in Virginia's News on September 5, 2018
It’s back to school time in Virginia, and students are headed back to classrooms across the commonwealth. But those schools are not being funded at the same levels. Michael Pope has this look at the funding gap.
Should Virginia Schools Focus on Security or Mental Health?
Posted by Nick Gilmore in Virginia's News on August 23, 2018
As students are going back to school, administrators are faced with the difficult choice: how to make sure the classrooms are safe. And, as Michael Pope reports, opinions are divided about the best approach.
You can find the entire poll here.