Date: April 9, 2019 — FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Mr. Andrew R. Armstrong, Executive Director of Business Operations aarmstrong@glnd.k12.va.us | (804) 332 0965 | @glndschools www.goochlandschools.org
Virginia School Boards Association (VSBA) has released its 23rd annual VSBA Showcases for Success directory, highlighting successful K-12 programs in Virginia’s public schools. Goochland County Public Schools is one of 56 school divisions from across the Commonwealth that has programs featured in the directory. Programs from Goochland County are:
Advance College Academy
Last May, 24 Goochland High School seniors earned an A.S. in Social Sciences, a full three weeks before high school graduation. Innovative dual enrollment programs such as Advance College Academy (ACA), a partnership with Reynolds Community College and Goochland County Public Schools, are increasingly less rare. What sets Goochland’s ACA apart, however, is the inclusive philosophy we apply to applicant selection. GCPS has not limited the number of students who may elect to challenge themselves in ACA. This allows us to accept eighth-graders who show potential to be ready for college classes rather than only those who are already standouts. This has motivated students to set high goals for themselves and created opportunity for students who are traditionally underrepresented in other rigorous programs. According to one of our students, “ACA has provided me with the skills to succeed in college, a job, and life in general.”
For more information on ACA, contact Ms. Raye Rector, Assistant Director of Federal Programs and Gifted Services at rrector@glnd.k12.va.us or 804.556.5610. Read more at GCPS Advance College Academy.
Measuring the Effect of Coaching on Deeper Learning in the Classroom
Goochland Middle School was invited by Apple to attend a research workshop in Sunnyvale, CA in December 2017. We returned in December 2018 to report back on a 1-year research initiative to study the evidence of deeper learning in social studies classrooms and the role the technology coach plays in this pursuit. Students experienced a number of amazing lessons and we proved that quality coaching can result in deeper learning experiences for students.
For more information, contact Dr. John G. Hendron, Director of Innovation & Strategy at jhendron@glnd.k12.va.us or 804.556.5623. Read more at Coaching for Deeper Learning.
The full VSBA Showcases for Success directory is available at www.vsba.org/showcases. It includes division-wide programs, as well as those at elementary, middle, and high school levels. The focus of the 2019 VSBA Showcases for Success is Career, College and Life Ready, highlighting diverse programs in Virginia’s public schools that aim to prepare students for whatever pathway they choose after their K-12 education.
For more information about the VSBA Showcases for Success, contact Gina Patterson, VSBA executive director, at gina@vsba.org or 434-295-8722.
About the Virginia School Boards Association Virginia School Boards Association, a voluntary, nonpartisan organization of Virginia school boards, promotes excellence in public education through leadership, advocacy, and services. The Association offers conferences, information, training, and counseling designed to meet the needs of the Commonwealth’s educational leaders.
###