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

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). […]

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 […]

Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) has often been seen as a last resort for individuals with complex communication needs (CCN). Many people think there’s a specific order of tools to try before moving on to high-tech AAC systems. However, things are changing with the rise of iPads, user-friendly communication apps, and a wealth of research […]

Professional development (PD) is the primary way in which knowledge, skills, and information are shared with teachers. The general approach to PD involves initial training; teachers are expected to take the presented information back to their respective classrooms and implement it, often with little to no follow-up (Saunders et al., 2021). This traditional model of […]

We have been listening to you! Based on your requests, we have curated more assistive technology (AT) devices for you to trial with your students of all ages. Check out these materials that were added to our library recently! Lights, Camera, Action!!! For the culinary artists in your classroom Switches, switches, and more switches!! Choosing […]

Chronic absenteeism is impacting schools and classrooms across the nation. Although student attendance may be impacted by multiple factors that are outside of the school’s control, focusing on what schools can do to increase attendance is still important. For example, a positive school climate has numerous impacts on student outcomes, including reducing student absenteeism. “When […]

Part 2: Practices to support youth with internalizing behaviors Internalizing behaviors are often seen in children and adolescents and reflect emotional struggles that can lead to issues like depression and anxiety, social withdrawal, and negative self-perceptions. These challenges may result in reduced academic engagement, feelings of loneliness, and an increased risk of self-harm (Fiat et […]

High-leverage practices (HLPs) are defined as “22 essential special education techniques that all teachers of students with disabilities should master for use across a variety of classroom contexts“ (IRIS Center, 2025). The term high-leverage practice surfaced in 2011; but these evidence-based techniques are not new concepts (Council for Exceptional Children, 2024). HLPs became more specific […]