The Virginia Department of Education proposed revisions to the commonwealth's history and social science learning standards late Friday in a move that would significantly alter the guidelines it had previously recommended and prompted a blistering response from critics who described it as political meddling.

PORTSMOUTH - Portsmouth Public Schools is considering a pre-Labor Day start to the school year for 2023-24, and a decision could be made by the end of the year. Chief communications officer Lauren Nolasco presented survey results from earlier this year to the School Board on Thursday.

Voters in Southampton County made it abundantly clear in the Nov. 8 election that they want an elected school board, as the referendum making this possible received 81.1% "yes" votes. The question posed to voters was as follows: "Shall the method of selecting the school board be changed from appointment by the school board selection [...]

Virginia's Superintendent of Public Instruction spoke with us about Bridging the Gap: Learning Loss Recovery Plan, which launched as a pilot project in the spring. Since that time, Virginia students' test scores on indicators such as the Standards of Learning and the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) also known as the nation's report card, have shown that the losses are more profound than had been anticipated.

ROCKY MOUNT - Officials at Franklin County Public Schools have concerns about a new instructional review policy adding work for teachers who are already overloaded. Like every other public school division in Virginia, the Franklin County division has been discussing a review policy for sexually explicit content in instructional materials.

The county School Board on Thursday presented its legislative priorities to members of Loudoun's General Assembly delegation their annual breakfast meeting. "These are important topics as you get down to Richmond to reflect back on the values provided by Loudoun County Public Schools.

When presented two capital improvement program requests, the Albemarle County School Board voted against a prioritized plan on the basis that it neglected high school renovations. "I remain troubled that we are once again eliminating any renovation funding for our schools," said board member Kate Acuff during the board's Thursday meeting.

HARRISONBURG, Va. (WHSV) - A teacher in Harrisonburg is getting statewide recognition for her conservation efforts. Alexandra Szucs has worked at Spotswood Elementary School for five years where she's been able to combine her passion for environmental science with her love for teaching.

The Mathews County School Board will hold a town hall meeting at 6 p.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 29, in the Mathews High School media center to give residents a chance to address board members on issues related to the school division. School board vice chairman John Priest will serve as moderator for the program.

The Roanoke County School Board will vote soon on whether to adopt a new review process for material deemed "sexually explicit." The proposal, which was presented to the school board on Thursday, is meant to bring schools in the county into compliance with a new state law that requires parents be notified of all sexually explicit material being taught in classes their children attend.