Virginia Department of Education's Training and Technical Assistance Center at Virginia Commonwealth University

Have you noticed students who increasingly struggle to stay focused on tasks, find face‑to‑face interactions challenging, experience difficulty retaining new learning, and exhibit reduced stamina for sustained thinking? A growing body of evidence supports that the rise in the use of digital tools is reshaping students’ cognitive development, attention, and social skills. Research indicates that […]

Many schools are actively working to strengthen their Tier 2 and Tier 3 supports; however, teams frequently report feeling overwhelmed by the numerous interventions, tools, and processes required. This challenge often arises because schools treat each intervention as an isolated initiative. Implementation research indicates that the primary focus should be on constructing the Advanced Tiers […]

In his memoir, Matthew McConaughey talks about bumper stickers, quick-hit lines that try to sum up something bigger, something true (McConaughey, 2020). In education, we have our own, “I do, We do, You do.” It sounds good, rolls off the tongue, and feels like wisdom on a teacher-lounge fridge magnet. But like a real bumper […]

Scaffolding is an essential instructional strategy that helps bridge the gap between what students currently know and what they are capable of with guidance. Originating from Vygotsky’s (1978) zone of proximal development, scaffolding involves providing temporary supports that enable learners to perform tasks they could not accomplish independently. As students gain understanding and confidence, these […]

Chronic absenteeism, commonly defined as missing 10 percent or more school days in an academic year, poses significant challenges for all students. The impact on students with disabilities is particularly complicated. These students are disproportionately affected by barriers to consistent attendance and face greater consequences when instructional time is lost (U.S. Department of Education, 2016). […]

It seems like every year we wonder about teacher talk versus student talk. Am I talking too much during instruction? Are all of the students engaged in opportunities to respond? As teachers, coaches, and administrators, we often reflect on whether instruction is student-centered. Sometimes it feels like we’re doing everything right, but the students still […]

Registration is open for the 2025 VCU School of Education’s Dyslexia Symposium! Come join fellow educators on November 8, 2025, for a day of learning, networking, and professional development. The keynote speaker, Kelli Sandman-Hurley, Ed.D., founder of the Dyslexia Training Institute, author, and national advocate for dyslexia education, will share her presentation, Dyslexia: What We […]

Current data highlight that bullying persists as a widespread and urgent issue that affects students’ sense of connection, emotional health, and academic achievement. The National Health Interview Survey, completed from July 2021 to December 2023, reveals that 34% of teenagers (ages 12-17) were bullied in the previous 12 months. This research highlights that bullying is […]

It’s November, and Ms. Connelly notices several students have difficulty following the morning arrival routine. They talk loudly as they enter the classroom and hang up their bookbags. The morning tasks listed on the whiteboard are not being completed because students are socializing with each other and taking longer to complete their work. Ms. Connelly […]

A well-designed classroom is the foundation for a high-quality early learning experience. The physical, social, and temporal features of the environment influence student engagement, independence, and social-emotional development (Rausch et. al., 2021). As we begin the school year, it’s the perfect time to revisit what makes a classroom truly work for young students. Start with […]