What We Do
The Education Secretariat provides guidance to the Virginia Department of Education (VDOE), the Virginia Community College System (VCCS) and The State Council of Higher Education for Virginia (SCHEV), as well as Virginia’s 16 public colleges and universities, 23 community colleges and five higher education and research centers. We also provide support to seven state-funded arts/cultural institutions.
Working with the Governor, the General Assembly, educators, advocates, communities, students and parents, we aim to eradicate the Achievement Gap, promote great teaching and learning, and help strengthen educational pathways to the new Virginia Economy. We work closely with the SOL Innovation Committee, the Governor’s Sexual Assault Task Force and the Commonwealth Council on Childhood Success to ensure positive and rewarding outcomes for every student.
For more information about agencies, schools and more, follow the “agencies” link above, or click here.
Education Highlights
- VDOE Announces 21st Century Community Learning Center Grant Competition The Virginia Department of Education is inviting school divisions, nonprofits, local government agencies, faith-based organizations, colleges and universities, and for-profit corporations to apply for 21st Century Community Learning Centers grants.
- Prince William County Math Teacher Earns Milken Educator Award And the "Oscar of Education" goes to math teacher Lauren Anne Wilson in Prince William County, Virginia.
- FCHS team wins Congressional App Challenge A team of three students from Franklin County High School won the second annual Fifth District Congressional App Challenge.
- ACHS student nominated for national conference Amherst County HS freshman Isabella Billings will be representing her school at the Congress of Future Science and Technology Leaders in June.
- High school seniors navigate state government, meet with legislators Several Dan River Region seniors got the chance to spend two days meeting lawmakers, visiting the state capital and speaking with Gov. Terry McAuliffe.
- Virginia's education chief Holton talks budget, Norfolk schools and her time in office Anne Holton recently spoke with The Pilot about how the Governor's proposed budget can help advance education in the state.
- Fundamental changes could be coming for high school graduation requirements The idea is to maximize flexibility and offer “multiple, rigorous pathways to success,” Holton said.
SOL Reform
We’ve heard you loud and clear!
That is why Governor McAuliffe signed the SOL Innovation Committee into law in 2014, a bipartisan group made up of educators, lawmakers, business leaders, parents and advocates selected from across the Commonwealth to implement lasting and substantive changes to the current system.
On November 18, 2015, the Committee released their second round of bold recommendations. They first met in July of 2014, and later that year, released their first set of interim proposals.
But there is more work to do!
To request to be added to our listserv, or to give us your input, email us at education1@governor.virginia.gov