The Hughes Educational Center in Danville has officially opened its newly renovated facility, continuing its mission to provide specialized education for students with disabilities across Southside Virginia.

The Virginia Department of Education announced Monday that Virginia has earned the U.S. Department of Education’s top rating for improving outcomes for students with disabilities and compliance with the federal Individuals with Disabilities Education Act.

Leila in the special education program at Oak Grove Elementary but when schools shut down, mom had to take over. “That was really, really beneficial for Jaedyn. Roanoke City Public School’s Executive Director of Special Education Hayley Poland says until the division-wide plan is finalized, they cannot develop a special education plan. The Virginia Department of Education has an entire section online for special education and student services related to COVID. Additionally, after an extended closure, divisions are responsible for reviewing how the closure impacted the delivery of special education and related services to students eligible for special education services.