A Guide to the Records of the Virginia Office of the Secretary of Education, 2014-2017, #52181

Administrative Information

Access Restrictions

Privacy protected and confidential information is restricted from public access for 75 years per Code of Virginia 42.1-78 . If redaction was not an option, the entire document was sealed, but not removed from the collection. Sealed information may include, but is not limited to: medical information, social security numbers, and attorney-client privileged information .

Use Restrictions

There are no restrictions.

Preferred Citation

Virginia, Secretary of Education. Records of the Virginia Office of the Secretary of Education, 2014-2017, Accession 52181. State Records Collection, The Library of Virginia. Richmond, VA. 23219.

Acquisition Information

Office of the Secretary of Education, Patrick Henry Building, 1111 E. Broad Street, Richmond, Virginia, 23219. Accession 44681 transferred and accessioned on 12 January 2010.

Processing Information

Original folder arrangement by name of subject matter maintained by archivist. Processing archivist imposed series order in 2022 given the absence of usable order.

Historical/Biographical Information

In 1970, the Governor's Management Commission Study recommended the creation of six "Deputy Governors" assist the Chief Executive in his managerial duties, compatible functions of government were grouped under these administrative heads, who would serve as the Governors top management team or "secretariats," as they are called now. The General Assembly in 1972 created six Secretariats positions initially. As government reorganized, that number fluctuated when government agencies expanded or consolidated.

The Secretary of Education assists the Governor in the development and implementation of the state's education policy. The secretary provides guidance to 16 colleges and universities, the Virginia Community College System, five higher education and research centers, the Department of Education, the state-supported museums, and other agencies in the Education Secretariat. All secretaries are appointed by the governor and serve at his will.

During the Administration of Governor Terry McAuliffe (2014-2018) the Secretary of Education directed policy for education programs that involve multiple agencies including: Department of Education, Library of Virginia, Jamestown-Yorktown Foundation, Virginia Museum of Fine Arts, Science Museum of Virginia and Virginia Commission for the Arts. While Virginia's Colleges and Universities are semi-autonomous, the Secretary of Education also plays a role in directing state policy for: Virginia Community Colleges, Christopher Newport University, George Mason University, James Madison University, Longwood University, Mary Washington University, Norfolk State University, Old Dominion University, Radford University, Richard Bland College, University of Virginia, Virginia Commonwealth University, Virginia Military Institute, Virginia State University, Virginia Tech, College of William and Mary, Roanoke Higher Education Center, Southwest Virginia Higher Education Center, and State Council of Higher Education.

Some of Governor McAuliffe's education initiatives were: early childhood initiatives, high school reform initiatives, Standards of Learning (SOL) Innovation, Sexual Assault Task Force, the conclusion, the termination of Governor McDonnell's Opportunity Educational Institute, and workforce development.

On 4 January 2014, Governor-elect McAuliffe named Anne Holton as Secretary of Education. After graduating with a B.A. from Princeton and a Harvard law degree, Holton worked as a legal aid lawyer serving low-income families. She served as a juvenile and domestic relations district court judge from 1998 until 2005. While serving as First Lady from 2006-2010 (married to Governor Tim Kaine), Holton devoted attention to children in the state's foster care system, working with the Virginia Community Colleges System as director of the Great Expectations program, which helps foster youths further their studies. Holton became the first First Lady to then go on to serve in a gubernatorial cabinet position. Jennie Moline O'Holleran, then Director of Virginia Relations at the George Washington University, and Dietra Trent, then Deputy State Director in Senator Mark Warner's Office were appointed as the two original Deputy Secretaries of Education in McAuliffe's Secretariat. Deputy Secretary O'Holleran served in this capacity until 2015 when she went on to serve as Senior Policy Advisory and then Policy Director in McAuliffe's administration.

Secretary Holton stepped down in July of 2016 to focus on her husband Tim Kaines campaign as Vice President for Hillary Rodham Clintons presidential bid. Governor McAuliffe appointed then Deputy Secretary Dr. Dietra Trent to the Secretary role. She previously served as Deputy Secretary of Education in Governor Tim Kaines administration, and as Director of Constituent Services and Director of the Council on Human Rights under Governor Mark Warner.

Scope and Content

The Records of the Virginia Secretary of Education are housed in seven (7) boxes. The collection is arranged into four (4) series. Series have been designated for: I. Correspondence and Supporting Documentation: Assigned State Agencies, 2014-2017; II. Correspondence and Supporting Documentation: Secretariat, 2014-2017; III. Special Projects and Studies: Deputy Secretariat, 2014-2017; IV. Special Projects and Studies: Secretariat, 2014-2017. These records include agendas, articles, briefings, correspondence, e-mails, grants, handouts, legislation, lists, memorandums, minutes, notes, presentations, press releases, reports, speeches, studies, surveys and files by subject and/or sender. These records document the work of the Secretary of Education under Governor Terry McAuliffe. The most significant and voluminous material documents the development and implementation of the various educational initiatives of the McAuliffe Administration including: P-16 Council, Sexual Assault Task Force, Workforce Development, Standards of Learning Innovation/Reform Committee, and Teacher Quality as well as correspondence from constituents and other officials. The bulk of the records document activity from 2014 through 2016, when the Secretary of Education was Anne Holton and Jennie Moline O'Holleran and Dr. Dietra Trent the Deputy Secretaries.

Contents List

I. Correspondence and Supporting Documentation: Assigned State Agencies , 2014-2017 .

Box 1

Extent: .35 cubic feet (1 box).

Box 1 Folder 1
Bryant and Straton College, 2014 .
Box 1 Folder 2
Commission for the Arts, 2014-2017 .
Box 1 Folder 3
George Mason University (GMU), 2014 .
Box 1 Folder 4
Library of Virginia, 2014-2015 .
Box 1 Folder 5
Norfolk State University (NSU), 2014-2016 .
Box 1 Folder 6
Opportunity Educational Institute, (1 of 3) .
Box 1 Folder 7
Opportunity Educational Institute, (2 of 3) .
Box 1 Folder 8
Opportunity Educational Institute, (3 of 3) .
Box 1 Folder 9
(Director of) Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) .
Box 1 Folder 10
Virginia Intermont College (VIC) .
Box 1 Folder 11
University of Virginia (UVA), 2014-2015 .
Box 1 Folder 12
Virginia Community College System (VCCS), 2014-2016 .
Box 1 Folder 13
Virginia Military Institute (VMI), 2014 .
Box 1 Folder 14
Virginia Museum of Fine Arts (VMFA), 2014-2015 .
Box 1 Folder 15
Virginia School for the Deaf and Blind, 2014 .
Box 1 Folder 16
Virginia Tech, 2014-2015 .

II. Correspondence and Subject Files: Secretariat , 2014-2017 .

Boxes 1-3

Extent: 1.0 cubic feet (3 boxes).

Box 1 Folder 17
Attorney General, 2014 .
Box 1 Folder 18
Board Appointments, 2015-2016 .
Box 1 Folder 19
Budget, 2015-2016 .
Box 1 Folder 20
Constituent Correspondence, 2014-2016 (1 of 4) .
Box 2 Folder 1
Constituent Correspondence, 2014-2016 (2 of 4) .
Box 2 Folder 2
Constituent Correspondence, 2014-2016 (3 of 4) .
Box 2 Folder 3
Constituent Correspondence, 2014-2016 (4 of 4) .
Box 2 Folder 4
Communities in School, 2014 .
Box 2 Folder 5
Dietra Trent, 2016-2017 .
Box 2 Folder 6
Early Childhood Foundation, 2014 .
Box 2 Folder 7
Elementary and Secondary Education Act, 2015 .
Box 2 Folder 8
Higher Education Access and Completion, 2016 .
Box 2 Folder 9
House of Delegates, 2014 .
Box 2 Folder 10
Joint Legislative Audit and Review Commission (JLARC), 2015 .
Box 2 Folder 11
Literary Fund, 2014 .
Box 2 Folder 12
News Clippings, 2015 .
Box 2 Folder 13
Nutrition, 2015 .
Box 2 Folder 14
Office of the Inspector General(OSIG), 2015 .
Box 2 Folder 15
Priorities, 2014-2015 .
Box 2 Folder 16
Recommendations, 2014 .
Box 2 Folder 17
Senate, 2014-2015 .
Box 2 Folder 18
Strategic Planning, 2014-2015 .
Box 2 Folder 19
Teacher Preparation, 2015 .
Box 2 Folder 20
Thank Yous/Congratulations, 2014-2016 (1 of 2) .
Box 3 Folder 1
Thank Yous/Congratulations, 2014-2016 (2 of 2) .
Box 3 Folder 2
University of Virginia - Office of Civil Rights (UVA-OCR), 2015 .
Box 3 Folder 3
Virginia Education Association (VEA), 2014-2015 .
Box 3 Folder 4
Voices for Virginia's Children, 2014 .

III. Special Projects and Studies: Deputy Secretariat , 2014-2017 .

Boxes 3-5;

Extent: 1.05 cubic feet (3 boxes).

Box 3 Folder 5
Accountability Committee, 2015 .
Box 3 Folder 6
Career and Technology Education (CTE), 2014 .
Box 3 Folder 7
Catholic Diocese of Richmond, 2014 .
Box 3 Folder 8
Cisco Academy .
Box 3 Folder 9
Constituent Correspondence, 2014 (1 of 3) .
Box 3 Folder 10
Constituent Correspondence, 2014 (2 of 3) .
Box 3 Folder 11
Constituent Correspondence, 2014 (3 of 3) .
Box 3 Folder 12
Constituent Correspondence-VIP, 2014 (1 of 2) .
Box 3 Folder 13
Constituent Correspondence-VIP, 2014 (2 of 2) .
Box 3 Folder 14
E-Rate/Broadband, 2014 .
Box 3 Folder 15
Early Childhood Foundation, 2015 .
Box 3 Folder 16
Educate Every Child (E3), 2014 .
Box 3 Folder 17
Education Technology, 2015 (1 of 2) .
Box 3 Folder 18
Education Technology, 2015 (2 of 2) .
Box 4 Folder 1
Evaluations, 2014 .
Box 4 Folder 2
Excel to Excellence .
Box 4 Folder 3
Fairfax County Public Schools, 2014 .
Box 4 Folder 4
Governor Schools, 2014 .
Box 4 Folder 5
Initiatives, 2014 .
Box 4 Folder 6
National Governors' Association (NGA) Governors' Education Policy Advisors (GEPA) Conference, 2014 .
Box 4 Folder 7
Opportunity Educational Institute, 2014 (1 of 2) .
Box 4 Folder 8
Opportunity Educational Institute, 2014 (2 of 2) .
Box 4 Folder 9
Parents as Teachers .
Box 4 Folder 10
Programs, 2014-2015 .
Box 4 Folder 11
Proposals, 2014 .
Box 4 Folder 11
Proposals, 2014 .
Box 4 Folder 12
Pulaski County Public Schools, 2015 .
Box 4 Folder 13
Roanoke City Public Schools, 2014 .
Box 4 Folder 14
Standards of Learning (SOL) Innovation Committee, 2014 (1 of 3) .
Box 4 Folder 15
Standards of Learning (SOL) Innovation Committee, 2014 (2 of 3) .
Box 4 Folder 16
Standards of Learning (SOL) Innovation Committee, 2014 (3 of 3) .
Box 4 Folder 17
Standards of Learning (SOL) Reform, 2014 (1 of 2) .
Box 4 Folder 18
Standards of Learning (SOL) Reform, 2014 (2 of 2) .
Box 5 Folder 1
Teach for America .
Box 5 Folder 2
Teacher Salary Data, 2014 .
Box 5 Folder 3
Virginia Beach Public Schools, 2014 .
Box 5 Folder 4
Virginia Preschool Initiative, 2015 .
Box 5 Folder 5
Virginia Association of Superintendents (VASS), 2014 .
Box 5 Folder 6
Virginia Quality Service Review (VSQR), 2014 .
Box 5 Folder 7
Virginia Virtual, 2014 .
Box 5 Folder 7
Virginia Virtual, 2014 .

IV. Special Projects and Studies: Secretariat , 2002-2010 .

Boxes 5-7;

Extent: 1.05 cubic feet (3 boxes).

Box 5 Folder 8
Budget, 2014-2016 (1 of 5) .
Box 5 Folder 9
Budget, 2014-2016 (2 of 5) .
Box 5 Folder 10
Budget, 2014-2016 (3 of 5) .
Box 5 Folder 11
Budget, 2014-2016 (4 of 5) .
Box 5 Folder 12
Budget, 2014-2016 (5 of 5) .
Box 5 Folder 13
Center for Innovative Technology (CIT), 2015-2016 .
Box 5 Folder 14
Challenged Schools, 2015 (1 of 4) .
Box 5 Folder 15
Challenged Schools, 2015 (2 of 4) .
Box 5 Folder 16
Challenged Schools, 2015 (3 of 4) .
Box 5 Folder 17
Challenged Schools, 2015 (4 of 4) .
Box 6 Folder 1
Classrooms Not Courtrooms, 2015 .
Box 6 Folder 2
Consolidation Study, 2015-2016 .
Box 6 Folder 3
Early Childhood Foundation, 2015 .
Box 6 Folder 4
Education Bills, 2014-2016 .
Box 6 Folder 5
Education Technology, 2015 .
Box 6 Folder 6
Executive Agreements .
Box 6 Folder 7
Financial Aid, 2016 .
Box 6 Folder 8
Graduate Rate Update, 2015 .
Box 6 Folder 9
High School Redesign, 2016 .
Box 6 Folder 10
Lumina Foundation, 2015 .
Box 6 Folder 11
P-16, 2015 .
Box 6 Folder 12
Project Discovery, 2014-2015 .
Box 6 Folder 13
Round Table Notes, 2015 .
Box 6 Folder 14
State Council of Higher Education for Virginia (SCHEV) Budget, 2014-2016 .
Box 6 Folder 15
State Council of Higher Education for Virginia (SCHEV) Data, 2014-2016 (1 of 3) .
Box 6 Folder 16
State Council of Higher Education for Virginia (SCHEV) Data, 2014-2016 (2 of 3) .
Box 6 Folder 17
State Council of Higher Education for Virginia (SCHEV) Data, 2014-2016 (3 of 3) .
Box 6 Folder 18
School Readiness Committee, 2015 .
Box 7 Folder 1
Standards of Learning (SOL), 2015 (1 of 2) .
Box 7 Folder 2
Standards of Learning (SOL), 2015 (2 of 2) .
Box 7 Folder 3
Substance Use on Campus, 2015 .
Box 7 Folder 4
Virginia 529/SOAR, 2015 .
Box 7 Folder 5
Vaccines for Children (VFC) Annual Meeting, 2016 .
Box 7 Folder 6
Virginia School Boards Association (VSBA), 2014 .
Box 7 Folder 7
Workforce Development, 2015 .
Box 7 Folder 8
Youth Entrepreneurship, 2014 .