VDOE Science UpdateJune 6, 2018
News
Governor Northam Appoints Dr. James Lane as State Superintendent of Public Instruction
On May 24, 2018, aNews Releaseannounced that Governor Ralph Northam has appointed Dr. James Lane as Virginia’s next State Superintendent of Public Instruction.
Dr. James Lane has served as a Superintendent in three Virginia school divisions, including his most recent position in Chesterfield County—Virginia’s fifth largest and one of the Commonwealth’s highest performing, school divisions. He previously served as Superintendent for Goochland County Public Schools and Middlesex County Public Schools. Dr. Lane holds a bachelor’s and a master’s degree in teaching from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, a Master of School Administration degree from North Carolina State University and a Doctor of Education degree from the University of Virginia.
K-12 Science Standards of Learning Revision
The Virginia Board of Education will review the draft of the 2018 K-12 Science Standards of Learning on June 28. After that, there will be a public comment period until September 15. Be sure to check the VDOE website over the summer for opportunities to comment on the proposed changes to the standards. You can also view the timeline of the revision process to find detailed information about the review process.
Locally awarded verified credits – Emergency Changes to the Standards of Accreditation
Superintendent’s Memo130-18, posted May 11, 2018, advised school divisions that all students are eligible to be considered for locally-awarded verified credits in English, mathematics, science, and history/social science in accordance with the Board of Education’s regulations and guidance.Please be aware the number of locally-awarded verified credits and the diplomas to which they may be applied are different for students that entered the ninth grade prior to the 2018-2019 school year, and for those that enter in 2018-2019 and thereafter, as explained in the memorandum.
For students who entered the ninth grade for the first time prior to the 2018-2019 school year, locally-awarded verified credits were previously available to students only for science and history/social science.Those students may now be awarded a total of three locally-awarded verified credits in English, mathematics, science, and history/social science.
These changes were adopted by the Board of Education and subsequently approved by Governor Northam through emergency changes to theRegulations Establishing Standards for Accrediting Public Schools in Virginia(Standards of Accreditation or SOA) and the Board'sGuidance Governing the Use of Locally-Awarded Verified Credits.
First-time ninth graders beginning with the 2018-2019 school year will be able to earn no more than one locally awarded verified credit in English, mathematics, science, and history/social science.These changes were adopted by the Board of Education through the comprehensive revisions to the SOA that will become effective in the 2018-2019 school year.
Grants and Awards
Secondary Teachers (6-12): Apply for the 2018Donna Sterling Exemplary Science Teaching Award
Donna Sterling was a visionary science educator with a passion for working with science teachers and developing habits of inquiry-based teaching. This award recognizes that exemplary teachers engage in continuous improvement, and is designed to support a professional development plan for the improvement of science teaching.In 2018, the award will be given to an exemplary secondary teacher. The awardee will receive a total of$4000. In addition, travel costs will be reimbursed to attend the 2018 VAST PDI to receive the award and to the 2019 VAST PDI to present a session on the professional development experience and outcomes. Learn more and apply by July 15 at the VAST website.
Captain Planet Foundation ecoTech Grants
EcoTech Grantsare offered to engage children in inquiry-based, STEM-related projects that leverage technology and/or use nature-based design to address environmental problems in local communities. EcoTech Grantswere created to combat the notion that students needed to choose between “the screen” or “the green” and to encourage educators and students to explore the role technology can play in designing and implementing solutions to some of our most pressing environmental challenges. They are available as cash grants up to $2,500, and support the purchase of materials and other project implementation expenses.Applications are due July 15.
Green Works Environmental Education Grant
Project Learning Treeoffers grants of up to $1,000 to schools and youth organizations for environmental service-learning projects that link classroom learning to the real world. Students implement an action project they help design to green their school or to improve an aspect of their neighborhood’s environment.The projects partner students with their whole school, local businesses and/or community organizations, and provide opportunities for student leadership.Applications are due September 30.
Teacher Opportunities
2018 Virginia Association of Science Teachers Professional Development Institute
The 2018 VAST PDI theme isDiversify and Strengthen Science for All. TheScience for Alltheme calls on us to celebrate the ever-increasing diversity in our student population across the commonwealth. The upcoming PDI will offer a wealth of information about science resources that are available throughout the state of Virginia. Register by October 15.
VAST PDI 2018 Donna Sterling Pre-conference: Powerful Collaborations: Science and SPED Instructors Working Together for Students’ Success
VAST has brought together a group of experts from across the nation and teams of our best Virginia science and SPED teachers to lead this pre-conference. The morning will be led by Dr. Sami Kahn and four colleagues from various institutions, all of whom are nationally recognized researchers in science and special education (SPED). The afternoon will be led by teacher-teams of Virginia teachers.
In the morning, Dr. Kahn and her colleagues will lead participants through three mini-master classes focusing on the critical topics of inclusion and collaboration, drawing from their book, TowardsInclusion of All Learners through Science Teacher Education. After lunch each participant will attend one of 4 sessions led by a team of a collaborative and a science classroom teacher in the areas of Elementary (3-5), Middle (6-8), Biology, and Earth Science. These sessions will include strategies to further raisestudent performance for high stakes testing. Each participant will receive a copy of Towards Inclusion of All Learners through Science Teacher Education, breakfast, and lunch. The registration fee for the pre-conference is $100. Please note that this does not include registration to the VAST PDI.
“STEAM 5.0 – Retooled as TEAMS” PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT CONFERENCE
Presented by the Virginia Association of Science Teachers, Region IV
Thursday, July 12th 8:30 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.at Manassas Park Middle School (8202 Euclid Avenue, Manassas Park, 20111). Speakers, panels, and presentations for all PK-12 educators. Learn more and get registration details at the VAST website.
Highlighted Superintendent’s Memos
- MEMO 144-18
Online Calculator in Revised Mathematics Standards of Learning Tests Beginning in Spring 2019 - MEMO 134-18
Announcing Summer Professional Development Institute for Technology and Engineering Educators - MEMO 130-18
Locally Awarded Verified Credits - MEMO 127-18
2018-2019 Virginia Standards of Learning Test Administration Schedule - MEMO 125-18
Fiscal Year 2019 Planning and Start-up Grants for Extended School Year or Year-Round School Programs - MEMO 098-18
Computer Science Summer Professional Development Opportunity
Contact Us
As always, please contact one of VDOE Science Team if you have questions.
Anne Petersen ()
Laura Casdorph ()
Myra Thayer ()
Find previous editions of Science Update on the VDOE Science Instruction website.