VCU T/TAC

04/21/2026

Middle school teachers!

Check out this new reading toolkit from the Southwest Regional Education Laboratory. The toolkit, Providing Reading Interventions for Students in Middle School (PRISMS), is for educators who provide reading interventions or tiered supports in reading for students in grades 6–8. The foundation for the toolkit's five learning modules is the evidence-based recommendations in the practice guide, Providing Reading Interventions for Students in Grades 4-9, from What Works Clearinghouse. The modules include resources such as interactive reflection, videos of effective practice, and example activities.

You can find the toolkit at

Providing Reading Interventions for Students in Middle School (PRISMS) Toolkit

04/20/2026

Many students are carrying big feelings related to testing demands—stress, worry, and pressure they don’t always know how to name. This quick video offers simple, powerful strategies you can use right away to help students stay grounded, confident, and regulated during assessments.

A small shift in our approach can make a huge difference in how students experience testing. Take a moment to watch and share with your team—your support matters more than you know.

With school comes tests, and with tests comes anxiety for many students. Clinical psychologist, Dave Anderson, PhD, provides some helpful ways to beat test a...

04/17/2026

Supporting student writing just got easier. The Iowa Reading Research Center offers practical tips for using speech-to-text tools to support students in planning, dictating, and revising their writing—boosting independence and confidence in written communication.

04/16/2026

Are you looking for an engaging way to build reading fluency?
These free Reader’s Theatre scripts from the Iowa Reading Research Center give students meaningful practice with expression, vocabulary, and confidence—all while having fun!

Performances of dramatic pieces can be used to teach and practice reading fluency with unfamiliar vocabulary words and idiomatic or colloquial expressions.

04/15/2026

If you or family want more information on informed consent check out the training from PEATC and DARS. Please share with families with young adults who are approaching the age of consent.
tinyurl.com/y4ktsddb

04/13/2026

As testing season approaches, supporting students’ emotional readiness matters just as much as academic prep. This quick read offers practical, research‑aligned strategies that go beyond “take a deep breath,” helping students build real tools to navigate test anxiety with confidence.

If you’re looking for simple, doable approaches that strengthen regulation, reduce stress, and set students up for success, this article is a powerful place to start.

To address test anxiety, districts can provide students with performance-based self-regulation resources and structured interventions.

04/08/2026

Schools play a vital role in supporting students’ digital well‑being, especially as “technology and digital media are embedded in every aspect of students’ lives.” This new fact sheet outlines evidence‑based strategies for promoting healthy digital habits within an MTSS framework—helping educators build protective environments, teach responsible online behavior, and identify students showing signs of digital‑related distress. It’s a timely, practical resource for districts navigating the realities of today’s digital world.

Digital experiences shape students’ well-being and learning, making schools key partners in promoting healthy and positive media engagement across developmental stages. This fact sheet provides evidence-based strategies educators can implement within a Multi-Tiered Systems of Support (MTSS) framew...

04/07/2026

Schools play a critical role in preventing youth su***de, and a Multi‑Tiered System of Supports (MTSS) offers a powerful framework for early identification, intervention, and connection to care. This new fact sheet outlines evidence‑based strategies schools can use to “swiftly act to intervene when youth exhibit warning signs of su***de” and create environments where help‑seeking is supported. It’s a practical, research‑grounded resource for districts committed to strengthening student well‑being.

A Multi-Tiered Systems of Support (MTSS) approach offers a comprehensive way to organize su***de prevention efforts across levels of risk and intervention need. This fact sheet presents evidence-based practices and interventions educators can use within an MTSS framework to strengthen prevention eff...

04/03/2026

“Kids want to read harder stuff” Just read an interesting article from the Harvard Gazette featuring Timothy Shanahan on reading instruction, and it really made me think about how we structure engagement in literacy. Definitely a thought-provoking read on the balance between challenge, engagement, and student success. Link to article:

"Leveled Reading" author explains why outdated teaching methods may be to blame for declining U.S. literacy rates.

04/02/2026

Establishing clear, predictable classroom routines helps reduce cognitive load by minimizing procedural “noise,” allowing students to focus their limited working memory on learning and deeper thinking. By streamlining daily tasks and structures, teachers can maximize instructional time and create more opportunities for meaningful engagement with content.

https://www.edutopia.org/video/building-routines-to-manage-cognitive-load