State-mandated learning loss recovery plan includes high-intensity tutoring, implementation of VA Literacy Act, reducing absenteeism. Also, board will discuss the K-12 program of studies for 2024-25.
by Adele Uphaus
MANAGING EDITOR AND CORRESPONDENT
Stafford County Public Schools has completed its plan for implementing Gov. Glenn Youngkin’s ALL IN VA learning loss recovery initiative and the School Board will discuss it at a work session on Tuesday.
According to the agenda for the work session, the division expects to receive $10.4 million in one-time funding to provide “high-dosage” tutoring and expanded literacy instruction and reduce rates of chronic absenteeism.
The school division has initially identified 10,000 students in grades K-8 who need tutoring in math and reading, based on requirements outlined in the Virginia Department of Education’s guide to the ALL IN plan.
The VDOE wants all students who are considered “not proficient” or “at risk” based on state assessments – the Virginia Growth Assessment for third grade and the Standards of Learning for grades 4-8 – to receive between 18 and 36 weeks of tutoring.
Stafford has divided the initially identified students into three priority groups instead of two. The priority one group – students who scored below the passing grade of 400 on the SOL – will receive 36 weeks of tutoring.
The priority two group – students who scored between 400 and 425 and who Stafford considers “lower” proficient – will receive 18 weeks.
The priority three group – students who scored between 426 and 488 and who Stafford considers “at risk” – will receive nine weeks of tutoring, according to the division’s plan.
Tutoring will occur before, during and after school for three-to-five hours per day. The division is targeting a teacher-to-student ratio of 1:5.
The division is proposing placing one “interventionist” at each of the 17 elementary schools to “coordinate school-based efforts, provide tutoring services in reading and mathematics, and monitor student progress and services,” according to a presentation prepared for the School Board.
At the middle school level, there will be 12 school-based tutors, one per middle school and four distributed based on need, to provide tutoring services.
Funding will also go towards providing school-based staff with professional learning on dyslexia identification and support and foundational reading skills; towards tutoring materials and instructional resources; and towards transportation for students.
The school division has identified planned expenditures of the $10.4 million one-time funds in the following categories: $2.8 million for transportation; $2.3 million for “staff retention and tutoring incentives;” $4.1 million for “direct tutoring support;” $868,709 for implementing the Virginia Literacy Act; and $459,400 for programs to address chronic absenteeism.
K-12 program of studies
The School Board meets on Tuesday for its work session at 5 p.m. and its regular business meeting at 7 p.m.
On the agenda for the regular meeting is approval of the proposed program of studies for grades K-12.
Changes proposed at the middle school level include increasing instructional time by eight hours per class per year.
At the high school level, the division is proposing to open the first three of an eventual six specialty centers. The vision is for one specialty center to be housed at each county high school.
The three proposed to open next school year are the Center for Leadership, Education and Public Service, or LEAPS, at Mountain View High School; the Engineering Professions and Industries of Construction, or EPIC Center, at Stafford High School; and the Community Health and Medical Professions, or CHAMP, Center at Brooke Point High School.
All rising 9th graders would be able to apply to the specialty centers and would be selected via lottery.
Each center will have a pathway for students intending to enter the work force right after graduation from high school and another for those intending to pursue higher education.
According to the agenda for Tuesday’s meeting, division superintendent Thomas Taylor is recommending that the board approve the proposed program of studies with the specialty centers.
However, the board is also scheduled to discuss deferring implementation of the specialty centers, at the request of board members Sarah Chase and Maureen Siegmund.
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