Deputy superintendent previews Title I/II updates to consolidated state plan, expands Title II uses to support licensure and retention

Summary

Deputy Superintendent Booker Dwyer outlined proposed amendments to Virginia’s consolidated state plan, saying Title II language would be broadened to fund residency programs, webinars, resource development and marketing to support licensure pathways and educator retention; the plan has not yet been released for public comment.

Deputy Superintendent Booker Dwyer presented proposed revisions to the Consolidated State Plan that would expand allowable uses of federal Title II funds to support both current and aspiring educators. Dwyer said the agency has expanded the Title II section to include residency programs, resource development, online courses, workshops, and marketing campaigns designed to recruit and retain educators and accelerate transitions from provisional to full professional licensure.

Dwyer emphasized that the plan has not been submitted to the U.S. Department of Education and that the department will open the plan for public comment and hold listening sessions to gather feedback. She also described proposed accountability updates under Title I to recognize middle-school advanced coursework in science and social studies in addition to math and flagged a shortfall in earth-science credentialed teachers (15 program completers in 2024–25), suggesting a need to review endorsement requirements and teacher-preparation pipelines.

Staff asked the board to share the forthcoming public-comment link widely and to participate in listening sessions. No elements of the plan have yet been adopted; Dwyer said stakeholder feedback will shape the final submission.