McDonnell launches teacher performance-pay initiative

Chris Graham

Gov. Bob McDonnell has invited 57 school divisions that may have difficulty attracting, retaining and rewarding experienced, fully licensed teachers to participate in his Virginia Performance-Pay Incentives initiative for hard-to-staff schools. The initiative — which was approved by the 2011 General Assembly — is a centerpiece of McDonnell’s “Opportunity to Learn” education-reform agenda. It provides…

McDonnell K-12 agenda pushes access

Chris Graham

Educational opportunity for all is a focal point for Gov. Bob McDonnell in his 2011 K-12 legislative agenda. “A child’s educational opportunities should be determined by their intellect and work ethic, not their zip code,” McDonnell said today in rolling out his Opportunity to Learn package, which pivots on a proposal to implement a pilot…

Health commissioner discusses H1N1 prep

Chris Graham

State Health Commissioner Karen Remley, M.D., MBA today visted Grove Park Preschool in Danville, to discuss state preparations against the H1N1 virus and to see first hand how schools and local health departments are working together to prepare for the fall flu season. Joining Dr. Remley were Sherman H. Saunders, Mayor of the City of…

State, feds, president talk H1N1 preparedness

Chris Graham

Gov. Timothy M. Kaine today announced measures Virginia is undertaking to protect against the H1N1 flu virus. The state has developed an H1N1 action plan and vaccination will be a key part of the effort to protect Virginians. The Virginia Department of Health (VDH) expects to begin immunizations among particularly susceptible groups upon receipt of…

The Latest

Chris Graham

Friday, Aug. 21 – Local News: More Harrisonburg street closings Thursday, Aug. 20 – Local News: Harrisonburg street work delays – Local News: Harrisonburg-Rockingham chamber CEO steps down – Elections ’09: Shannon gets business-group endorsements Wednesday, Aug. 18 – Local News: Waynesboro City Council work session agenda Tuesday, Aug. 18 – State News: Health department…

Local career and tech ed programs honored

Chris Graham

Gov. Timothy M. Kaine joined the Virginia Department of Education (VDOE) Tuesday afternoon to announce the winners of the Governor’s CTE Exemplary Standards Awards. The awards recognize business and industry representatives for their work promoting career and technical education (CTE) and highlight the efforts of educators in providing exceptional instruction and positive outcomes for students.

The Latest

Chris Graham

Friday, Aug. 7 – State News: New online resources for teachers Thursday, Aug. 6 – Local News: 40th anniversary of Camille disaster this month – Elections ’09: Wagner releases statement on Bolling’s absence from revenue meeting Wednesday, Aug. 5 – Local News: Harrisonburg traffic alert – State News: ACLU of Virginia weighs in on sectarian…

In the News

Chris Graham

– Local News: Ramp at 247 on I-81 to close two nights next week, posted Tuesday, 2 p.m. – State News: Virginia on iTunes U, posted Tuesday, 2 p.m. – State News: ACLU critical of threat assessment for colleges, universities in fusion center report, posted Tuesday, 2 p.m. – State News: More than 2 million…

AFP Politics Blog – Tuesday, Feb. 17, 2009

Chris Graham

– News: Pew Center commends Virginia for budgeting, management, Tuesday, 5:40 p.m. – News: House GOP kills bipartisan redistricting, Tuesday, 5:40 p.m. – News: Statement of Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood on stimulus, Tuesday, 5:40 p.m. – News: Gov. Kaine announces initiative to prepare dropouts for entry-level tech jobs, Tuesday, 12:20 p.m. – News: Shannon announces…