You read that headline correctly!
From the Virginia Department of Education:
To address the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on students' educational progress and well-being, Governor Glenn Youngkin announced in March 2023 the availability of $30 million in Learning Acceleration Grants to be used for qualifying education services.
VDOE is currently accepting applications from the following:
Virginia parents of school-age children seeking grants to provide tutoring.
Tutors and providers of assistive technologies and specialized educational therapy services and supports.
Grant Amounts & Awards
K-12 Learning Acceleration grants totaling $30 million — payments will be made directly to the selected provider — will be awarded as follows:
$1,500 for each qualifying student. Qualifying students include any public, private, parochial or home-school student in grades K-12 residing in Virginia and meeting the school-age requirements in §22.1-1, Code of Virginia.
$3,000 for each qualifying student whose family income is verified at 300% or less of the federal poverty level.
Qualifying Education Services Include:
Tutoring in core content areas (English reading/writing, mathematics, science and history/social science) and foreign languages required to meet graduation requirements. Tutoring may be in-person, virtual or hybrid, and in one-on-one, small group or large-group settings.
Purchasing of assistive technologies specified in a child's Individualized Education Plan or 504 Plan.
Specialized educational therapy services and supports, including speech language therapy, specialized reading instruction and other services provided by a licensed practitioner.
For Parents Seeking K-12 Learning Acceleration Grants
Virginia parents are now able to access the K-12 Learning Acceleration grant application through a secure online portal. For assistance and additional information go to What documents do I need to apply?
Once approved, parents will have access to a list of vetted, pre-approved teachers as tutors, tutoring services or providers of assistive technologies and may make their selection.
For Interested Teachers as Tutors and Education Service Providers
For assistance entering and/or proceeding through the vendor application process, or to check on the status of an application, please contact ClassWallet at help@classwallet.com or 877-969-5536.
Frequently Asked Questions for Tutors and Assistive Technology/Educational Services Providers
Requirements
Tutors who are currently licensed teachers in any endorsement area in any state.
Tutors who were previously licensed teachers in any endorsement area in any state whose licenses expired but were not revoked.
Tutors who are currently employed as instructional staff at any accredited private or parochial school.
Tutors who are currently employed as instructional staff at any accredited college or university.
Evidence-based tutoring and learning centers.
Providers of assistive technologies for students with disabilities.
Providers of specialized educational therapy services and supports, including speech language therapy, specialized reading instruction and other services provided by a licensed practitioner.
Vendor registration
Tutors and providers of educational supports and services who wish to participate as vendors can register and submit an application at the K-12 Learning Acceleration Grants ClassWallet vendor application. Tutors and other service providers can expect to hear within a week of completing the ClassWallet application whether they have been approved to participate, or whether additional information is needed to process their application.
For more information, please visit the announcement here.