Superintendent of Public Instruction
Dr. James F. Lane
Dr. James F. Lane was appointed Virginia’s 25th Superintendent of Public Instruction by Governor Ralph S. Northam, effective June 1, 2018. As state superintendent, Dr. Lane serves as the executive officer of the Virginia Department of Education, which is the administrative agency for the commonwealth’s public schools. He leads the external functions of the agency and also manages the internal operations. He also serves as secretary of the state Board of Education.
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Priorities and Initiatives
Dr. Lane discusses his priorities as Virginia's 25th superintendent of public instruction and key policy initiatives, including the implementation of the revised Standards of Accreditation and the Profile of a Virginia Graduate and making sure that all students have the supports and resources they need when they need them.
View all five videos on Dr. Lane's playlistBiography
Dr. James F. Lane was appointed Virginia’s 25th superintendent of public instruction by Governor Ralph S. Northam, effective June 1, 2018.
As state superintendent, Dr. Lane serves as the executive officer of the Virginia Department of Education, which is the administrative agency for the commonwealth’s public schools. He also serves as secretary of the state Board of Education. Under his leadership, the Virginia Department of Education has prioritized efforts toward developing education equity for all learners, has implemented new standards of accreditation via the Board of Education, has provided support and guidance for Virginia’s 132 school divisions during the COVID-19 pandemic, and has launched a public information campaign called Virginia is for Learners to share how the Commonwealth improves education, fosters deeper learning, realizes the Profile of a Virginia Graduate, and is ensuring that Virginia’s schools are maximizing student potential.
Prior to his appointment as the commonwealth’s chief school officer, Dr. Lane served as a division superintendent in Chesterfield, Goochland, and Middlesex Counties. He was recognized for his school division leadership as the 2017 Virginia Superintendent of the Year.
Dr. Lane was one of 100 superintendents in the nation selected to attend the 2014 ConnectEd Superintendents Summit at the White House in recognition of his leadership in the use of instructional technology by his schools. In 2015, the national Data Quality Campaign awarded its Flashlight award to Goochland County in recognition of the division’s achievements under Lane’s leadership in using data to empower educators and communicate with parents and the public.
Dr. Lane holds a doctorate in education from the University of Virginia, a master’s degree in school administration from North Carolina State University, and master’s and bachelor’s degrees in teaching from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Dr. Lane and his wife, Sarah, are the parents of two students in Chesterfield County, Virginia.
Communication & Reports Provided by the Superintendent
Superintendent's Memos
Weekly memoranda from the superintendent of public instruction are the means by which the Virginia Department of Education communicates official information to the commonwealth's school divisions. Superintendent's Memoranda are posted on Fridays.
Superintendent's Annual Report
The Superintendent's Annual Report contains educational statistics reported annually by school divisions to the Department of Education. The report includes tables on enrollment, pupil-teacher ratios, promotion, retention, graduation, dropouts, and attendance, as well as financial data and data on school division personnel.
Superintendent's Biweekly Email: News & Updates
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Past issues of Superintendent's biweekly emails are available:
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