About VDOE

Committing to Academic Excellence

EO4EO4 Overview

Executive Order Four (EO4) was issued on Governor Spanberger’s first day in office (January 17, 2026) and demonstrates a deep commitment to strengthening Virginia’s public education system to ensure that every child, regardless of background or life experience, has the opportunity and supports they need to succeed. 

EO4 outlines a set of shared core values that will inform the collaborative efforts between state and local leaders. Virginia is committed to a public education system that:

  • Ensures excellent educational experiences and opportunities for every child;
  • Offers high-quality instruction and wraparound services to meet all students’ needs and close gaps in learning;
  • Empowers and elevates teachers, principals and division leaders;
  • Promotes inclusive, supportive school environments; and
  • Strengthens local-state collaboration.

EO4 Tasks

The Executive Order emphasizes particular focus areas, both as topics for discussion during a listening tour and as separate actions for the Virginia Department of Education. These are: math instruction, literacy instruction and continued implementation of the Virginia Literacy Act; innovative assessment work; and the accountability and accreditation system in Virginia.  

Commonwealth Listening Tour: Speak up for Virginia’s Future

EO4 calls on the Secretary of Education and Superintendent of Instruction to engage in a meaningful listening tour with educators, school leaders, divisions, school boards, parents, throughout the late winter and early spring. The purpose of the listening tour is to hear directly from various stakeholders about what is working well in Virginia education and where there are opportunities to improve. During March and April, sessions will be held throughout the Commonwealth and virtually.

high school student at desk in math classStrengthening Mathematics Instruction

In response to EO4, the Department provided the Governor’s Office with an update on the state of mathematics instruction in Virginia. Additionally, the Department is adding new members to the state’s Math Task Force and relaunching its work to bring diverse stakeholders together to provide strategic recommendations related to math instruction, curriculum, credentialling, and professional learning for teachers.

student reading in libraryContinuing Literacy Progress

Over the last few years, Virginia has made progress to improve literacy outcomes with the implementation of the Virginia Literacy Act. EO4 tasks the Department to continue the work and empowers the Virginia Literacy Act Advisory Work Group to make recommendations, provide guidance, and elevate the importance of literacy through partnerships with schools, parents, and associations.

students working indepently with calculatorsInnovating Assessment Practices

Virginia is committed to improving our state-wide assessment system. The Department is expanding the membership of the Innovative Assessment Workgroup to guide the development of Virginia’s new assessment system.

students at table with teacherRefining Accountability & Accreditation

A top priority of the EO is an after-action report for the Governor on the first year of Virginia’s School Performance and Support Framework (SPSF), with clear action steps for improvement developed in consultation with stakeholders.