Instruction
Introduction
Instruction in Virginia's public schools is guided by the Standards of Learning. The standards describe the commonwealth's expectations for student learning and achievement in grades K-12 in English, mathematics, science, history and social science, technology, the fine arts, foreign language, health and physical education and driver education.
The commonwealth and its public schools also provide specialized instruction and programs for gifted students, students with disabilities, English language learners and children in schools serving economically disadvantaged communities.
Featured Instructional Resources for the 2020-2021 School Year
Navigating Virginia Education in Uncertain Times
Virginia LEARNS: Navigating Virginia Education in Uncertain Times provides recommendations and identifies resources and best practices related to equity, curricula — especially in literacy and mathematics
— remediation and intervention strategies, assessments, data analysis, student and staff wellness,
and technology to support instruction and learning.
Stay Informed with TeacherDirect
TeacherDirect provides a direct line of communication with classroom teachers and educators. TeacherDirect includes information about new instructional resources created by VDOE staff as well as professional development, grant opportunities, and other information of special interest to teachers and their students.
Virginia's Return to School Plan
Recover, Redesign, Restart 2020 is a guiding document for Virginia school divisions developed in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Virginia is for Learners
Visit VirginiaIsForLearners.virginia.gov
to learn more about the commitment to ensure that the Commonwealth’s public education system is positioned to achieve equitable academic outcomes for all students.
Virtual Teaching & Learning Hub
Visit the Virtual Teaching & Learning Hub to discover best practices for supporting virtual learning, find tips on lesson planning and assessment strategies, and access professional learning resources.
Just in Time Mathematics Quick Checks
Just in Time Mathematics Quick Checks are designed to help teachers identify students with unfinished learning and assist in planning instruction to fill potential gaps “just in time.”
Virginia Learns Anywhere Task Force Report & Continuity for Learning Resources
Tthe Continuity for Learning (C4L) Task Force prepared Virginia Learns Anywhere which reinforces much-needed structure while also empowering individual teachers to support students in learning remotely.
Virginia Mathematics Pathways Initiatives
The Virginia Mathematics Pathways Initiative (VMPI) supports the Profile of a Virginia Graduate by redefining mathematics pathways for students in the Commonwealth to address the knowledge, skills, experiences, and attributes that students must attain to be successful in college and/or the workforce and to be “life ready.”
Professional Development
The Professional Development Guidance-This is a PDF document. document connects administrators to information about opportunities and resources developed by VDOE and non-profit organizations that provide professional learning opportunities for public school educators.
Learning in Place
The VDOE Department of Learning and Innovation has compiled several Learning in Place Resources to assist teachers, parents, and students.
Getting Learners Connected
Getting Learners Connected-This is a PDF document. outlines strategies available for students to connect and avoid barriers to distance learning outside of school, known commonly as the “Homework Gap”.
#GoOpenVA: Join & Get Open!
#GoOpenVA is Virginia's home for Open Educational Resources (OER). It's a growing community of educators and education partners working together to help teachers personalize learning and address the learning goals of the Profile of a Virginia Graduate. Refer to the Quick Guide to OER-This is a PDF document. to learn more. Visit #GoOpenVA:COVID-19 Extended Closing Resources for materials to support educational activities when schools are closed.
Virtual Virginia (VVA) Outreach Program
A core service of Virtual Virginia, the VVA Outreach Program-This is a PDF document., is designed to assist Virginia public school divisions, teachers, and students by providing access to instructional resources expanded access to the Virtual Virginia learning management system at no cost. For more information, refer to Superintendent's Memo 093-20-This is a Word document..
VA TV Classroom
Blue Ridge PBS, VPM, WETA and WHRO Public Media worked with the VDOE to create VA TV Classroom to provide instruction to students. Read the VDOE's September 2 News Release-This is a Word document. for more information. Segments from both Learn and Grow With WHRO (grades K-3) and Continue To Know With WHRO (grades 4-7) are now available in eMediaVA.
Instruction Committees
Virginia teachers, school administrators and content specialists may serve on various Instruction Committees. Committee type and times will vary, and may include: Standards of Learning Review, Textbook Review and Support Materials Development. VDOE encourages educators to participate in this process.
Guidelines
- Alternatives to the 140 Clock-hour Requirement Guidelines – October 2015, the Virginia Board of Education approved Guidelines for Graduation Requirements: Local Alternative Paths to Standard Units of Credit (Alternatives to the 140 Clock-hour Requirement) (PDF). For more information, see Superintendent's Memo 271-15.
- Computer Science Guidelines – January 2015, the Virginia Board of Education approved Guidelines for the Use of Computer Science Courses to Satisfy Graduation Requirements (PDF). For more information, see Superintendent's Memo 022-15.
- Concussion Guidelines – November 2016, the Virginia Board of Education approved Guidelines For Policies on Concussions in Students (PDF).