Leadership

Description: Register for Together we go far: Teaming with paraprofessionals to support learners with autism - Special education is a team endeavor, and paraprofessionals are essential to this team. Most paraprofessionals receive their training on the job, and often by the special education teacher. Unfortunately, most special education teachers were not taught how to supervise, coach, and collaborate with paraprofessionals during their training. This presentation aims to provide special education teachers...

Description: Register for Together we go far: Partnering with families to support caregiver-mediated intervention - Our goal in education is to improve autistic students’ lives, not just within the classroom but across their homes, community, and future employment settings. To that end, it is essential to partner with families to learn about their priorities, values, and needs. Through this partnership, schools can support families and assist them in implementing feasible and meaningful...

Description: Deaf 101 is a free online short course designed to provide basic knowledge and tools necessary to communicate effectively with deaf individuals, especially in educational and professional settings. The course is broken down into two modules: the first describes the spectrum of deaf identity and answers common questions about deaf people; the second provides participants with quick tips and strategies to communicate effectively with deaf people. You can take the course all at once or in...

Description: Self-Paced Course: Think Like a Behaviorist: Behavior 101 is designed to address common misperceptions about behavior and children with ASD. Participants will learn about the importance of understanding behavior, the functions of behavior, the basic principles of ABA, common myths about ABA, and the ABCs (Antecedent-Behavior-Consequence). Learn how to think like a behaviorist in this first part of a series on behavior 101. This course is designed for any professional who supports young...

Description: In April 2024, the VDOE provided a webinar on using VPI funding in ECSE Classrooms. For access to the recording, please contact valeads@gmu.edu. You may find the three helpful documents on the VDOE’s VPI Webpage. VPI Guidelines give a full VPI program overview. VPI Eligibility Guide gives specific guidance on determining and documenting eligibility. And finally, FAQ-VPI Funding for ECSE Classrooms answers many common questions related to using VPI funds to support students in...

Description: Register for the Special Education Workshop Series: FALL into Knowledge 2025 - Are you looking to better understand the special education process and how to support your child’s success in school? Don't miss this five-session webinar series designed for Virginia families who want practical, easy-to-understand guidance on navigating special education services!Turn over a new leaf in understanding special education. Whether you’re brand new to special education or need a...

Description: Registration This 3-part webinar series is intended for new ECSE administrators, new special education directors or those who would like a refresh on topics related to ECSE administration. The series will cover important topics, including an overview of Early Childhood and ECSE programs; delivering inclusive practices in Early Childhood Care and Education programs; ECSE Indicator data; and Virginia Quality Birth through Five (VQB5). Participants are encouraged to attend all three sessions....

Description: The Virginia Department of Education (VDOE) is providing a webinar to assist school divisions in identifying, developing, and sustaining inclusive early childhood programs for children with Individualized Education Programs. Content will include the benefits and legal requirements of early childhood inclusion, contexts and models of inclusion, resources for programs to support and improve inclusion, and state and division level inclusion data. Administrators of programs that serve young children...

Description: Registration Please save the date for our first annual Fall VKRP/VALLSS PreK Initiative Webinar on Thursday September 25, 2025 at 11am. Join us to meet with representatives from the Virginia Kindergarten Readiness Program and the Virginia Literacy Partnerships (VLP) for updates on the screeners: Virginia Kindergarten Readiness Program (VKRP) and the Virginia Language & Literacy Screening System (VALLSS). The webinar is for any administrator responsible for the oversight of EC/ECSE programs...

Description: New this Year! The VDOE will host ECSE Office Hours for ECSE administrators, special education directors or those who would like to increase knowledge and ask questions on content related to ECSE. Office Hours will be held the third Thursday of the month from 11:00-12:00. Each month, a specific topic will be discussed. There will be a short introduction of the topic followed by the opportunity for you to ask questions. Registration is not required. Simply use the Join the meeting link to...