Virginia Department of Education

CONTACT US
Information on this page is provided by the Office of Instructional Services.

Phone 804-225-2932

Technical Assistance & Professional Development

Technical Assistance & Guidance

Accommodations

• Guidelines for School Division Policy Regarding Service Animals in Virginia's Public Schools (PDF)

Assessment

• Participation & Inclusion - includes guidelines for assessment participation and special test accommodations
• Alternative & Alternate Assessments

Assistive Technology

• What is Assistive Technology? (PDF)
• Assistive Technology: A Framework for Consideration and Assessment (PDF)
• Guidelines For School Division Transfer of Assistive Technology Devices (PDF) – includes frequently asked questions and sample forms.
  • Guidance on the Transfer of Assistive Technology (M4V) – Video transcript (PDF)

Behavior and Discipline

• Functional Behavioral Assessment (FBA) Guidelines (PDF)
  • Appendix A Forms:
    • Functional Assessment Checklist for Teachers and Staff (FACTS-Part A) (PDF)
    • Functional Behavioral Assessment Interview Forms (PDF)
    • ABC Observation Form and Functional Assessment Scatterplot (PDF)
    • Problem Behavior Questionnaire (PDF)
• Managing Student Behaviors in Emergency Situations, Focusing on Physical Restraint and Seclusion (PDF)
• Guidance Document on Manifestation Determination (PDF) – Document currently under revision
• Effective School-wide Discipline based on Positive Behavior Intervention and Supports (PBIS)
• “I’m Determined” Resources
• Guidelines for the Development of Policies and Procedures for Managing Student Behaviors In Emergency Situations in Virginia Public Schools (PDF)

Child Find

• Resource Document for Local Screening Requirements in Virginia's Public Schools (PDF)

Critical Area Self-Assessment Questions

For use by school divisions in assessing efforts for achieving the desired results in the State Performance Plan.

• Introduction (Word)
• Indicators 1 & 2: Graduation and Drop Out (Word)
• Indicator 3: State Assessment Participation and Performance (Word)
• Indicator 4: Discipline (Word)
• Indicators 5 & 6: Placement in the Least Restrictive Environment – School-age and Preschool (Word)
• Indicator 7: Preschool Outcomes (Word)
• Indicator 8: Schools Facilitate Parent Involvement (Word)
• Indicators 9 & 10: Disproportionality
  • NCCRESt-Rubric (PDF)
  • School Division Acton Plan Template (Word)
  • Technical Assistance Documents (PDF)
    • A Survey of Division Practices (PDF)
    • Student Academic Intervention Checklist (PDF)
    • Record Review Process (PDF)
    • An Assessment and Strategic Planning Process (PDF)
  • Resources
    • For Cultural Competence: Knowledge, Skills and Dispositions Needed to Embrace Diversity (PDF)
    • Cultural Competency (PPT)
    • Arlington Public Schools Adapted Cultural Competence Notebook (PDF)
    • What It Really Takes to Improve Student Outcomes (PPT)
    • Connecting with African American Males (PPT)
    • Codeswitching in Reading (PPT)
    • Language & Culture
• Indicators 11 &12: Eligibility Timelines (Word)
• Indicators 13 & 14: Secondary Transition and Postsecondary Outcomes (Word)

Disability Specific Documents

Educational Interpreters

• Educational Interpreting Services (PDF)
• Frequently Asked Questions Regarding New Qualifications for Educational Interpreters In State Regulations (Word)

Eligibility

• Evaluation and Eligibility For Special Education and Related Services: Guidance Document (Word)
• Guidance on Evaluation and Eligibility for the Special Education Process Appendix A (Sample Evaluation and Eligibility Forms) (Word)

English Language Learners

• English as a Second Language Standards & Assessment, Instruction and Parent Resources
• English: Strategies for Teaching LEP Students (PDF)
• Mathematics: Strategies for Teaching LEP Students (PDF)
• Handbook for ELs with Disabilities
  • Word – ADA Compliant Version
  • PDF – Original Version

Extended School Year Services

• Extended School Year Services (PDF)

Funding and Grants

• How Special Education Programs are Funded in Virginia's Schools (PDF)
• Guidelines for Instruction-Based Assessments (PDF) (2004)
• Guidelines for  Management of the Student’s Scholastic Record (PDF)
• Homebound Services

Health Guidance

• Virginia School Health Guidelines

IEP

• Implementing Special Education: Students With Special Needs (PDF)
• Guidance Document for Standards-based IEPs (PDF) – Revised March 2016

Instruction

• Improving Results Through Instructional Leadership (Word) – State resources available for special education leadership positions to share with teachers.
• Instructional Consultation Teams (ICT)
• Language & Culture Videos
• Responsive Instruction: Refining Our Work of Teaching All Children (PDF)
• Special Education in Local and Regional Jails: Guidelines for Best Practice  (PDF)
• Standards of Learning (SOL)
• Standards of Learning (SOL) Enhanced Scope & Sequence PLUS 
• Special Education Programs in Local and Regional Jails (PDF)
• TeacherDirect
• Virginia Tiered Systems of Supports (VTSS)

Prior Written Notice

• Model Written Prior Notice: When Parents Revoke Consent (PDF)
• Guidance on Prior Written Notice in the Special Education Process (PDF)

Parent Involvement

A Parent's Guide To Special Education (PDF), also available in Spanish (PDF) – This publication, which was developed by VDOE to help parents understand their rights and responsibilities, their children’s rights, and the responsibilities of schools, is currently under revision to reflect changes in state regulations.

• Parent Resource Centers In Local School Divisions
• Troubleshooting Parents' Special Education Concerns Within A Local School Division – (This document is under revision)
• Ombudsman for Special Education
• Guidance Document for Implementing New Special Education Requirements for the Definition of Parent (PDF)
• For Parents

Section 504 Resources

• Frequently Asked Questions
• The 1973 Rehabilitation Act (PDF) – Referral, Evaluation and Placement
• Keys to Implementation in Virginia's Schools (PDF)
• Resource Guide on Students with ADHD (PDF) – This guidance clarifying the obligation of schools to provide students with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) with equal educational opportunity under Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 was issued by The U.S. Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights (OCR). 

Secondary Transition Services

• Transition Services for Students with Disabilities
• Guidance for the Development of Postsecondary Goals (Word)
• Transfer of Rights For Students with Disabilities Upon Reaching The Age of Majority In Virginia (PDF), Also available in Spanish (PDF)

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