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

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 […]

Universal Design for Learning (UDL) is defined by the Higher Education Opportunity Act (2008) as a scientifically valid framework for guiding educational practice that (a) provides flexibility in the ways information is presented, in the ways students respond or demonstrate knowledge and skills, and in the ways students are engaged; and (b) reduces barriers in […]

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 […]

Early childhood classrooms are lively centers of exploration and learning. For all children, especially those with disabilities, carefully organized routines within routines are highly beneficial. Intentionally implementing a system provides a predictable framework that encourages independence, reduces anxiety, and enhances learning opportunities throughout the day. First, let us clarify the difference between a daily schedule […]

Teachers often revisit the question at the beginning of the school year: Is homework an unnecessary burden or is it a valuable pedagogical practice? The debate has persisted for decades with little change in public opinion or the amount of homework assigned. According to Dr. Harris Cooper, professor of psychology and neuroscience at Duke University, […]

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 […]

Sharron Haggett, Program Specialist, Assistive Technology and Intellectual Disabilities Sharron Haggett joins Virginia Commonwealth University’s Training and Technical Assistance Center with 25 years of experience in education. Her career has included roles as a paraprofessional, general education teacher, special education teacher, hospital education teacher, instructional specialist, assistive technology specialist, and educational consultant. Sharron earned a […]

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 […]

Today’s educators face the ongoing challenge of providing high-quality instruction to increasingly diverse student populations. As classrooms grow more varied in terms of learning needs, language backgrounds, and abilities, teachers must seek effective strategies to ensure that every student receives meaningful, personalized instruction. One such strategy, small group instruction, has gained recognition for its ability […]

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 […]