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Here’s a recap of the top stories on the morning of Aug. 19, 2024:
Projected 2025-26 FAFSA delay frustrates families and university staff
Reported by VPM News’ Megan Pauly
On Aug. 7, the U.S. Department of Education announcednext year’s Free Application for Federal Student Aid isn’t slated to open to the general public until Dec. 1.
Officials from the U.S. Department of Education have vowed to have all technical issues in the FAFSA system resolved by the Dec. 1 launch. The department is planning to run a test launch with a group of volunteer students and universities starting in October to work out any remaining kinks.
What’s in the new cellphone guidelines for Virginia’s public schoolers?
Reported by VPM News
Just over a month after Gov. Glenn Youngkin issued an executive orderdirecting state officials to create "guidelines on the establishment of cell phone-free education policies and procedures," the Virginia Department of Education has issued an initial public draft.
The seven-pageVDOE document, “Draft Guidance for Cell Phone-Free Education Pursuant to Executive Order 33,” appears to be the agency’s seventh draft. It acknowledges that students at varying stages of education use technology differently, and it sets up rules for the elementary, middle and high school levels
In other news:
- Nearly 500,000 Virginians in Medicaid have been disenrolled (Virginia Mercury)
- This team has spent the summer cataloging the Appalachian Trail’s best views, to protect them for future hikers (Cardinal News)
In case you missed it:
- Marion to get marker as ‘Birthplace of Modern Mountain Dew’ (Bristol Herald-Courier)*
- Natural Bridge State Park installs system providing audio to blind and visually impaired people (WRIC)
- Virginia Retirement System trust fund reaches record high of $113.9 billion. A former board member is raising concerns (Richmond Times-Dispatch)*
*This outlet utilizes a paywall.