Virginia Schools Adding Notifications to Counselor Toolkit

  • By Dian Schaffhauser
  • 09/14/11

A Virginia district has joined several others in the state in adopting a Web-based program for helping students and families in its five high schools research career and college options. Spotsylvania County Schools in Fredericksburg has deployed Naviance Succeed, which integrates tools for career, course, and college planning. The program, typically used by school counselors and advisors, also provides a feature for e-mailing notifications to families about specific upcoming events, scholarships, and college visits.

Naviance is a subsidiary of Hobsons, a company that sells education technology products for helping schools and colleges recruit, enroll, and retain students.

"Across the country case loads are increasing and student mental health needs are skyrocketing. Therefore, it is crucial that counselors streamline efforts and work smarter," said Linda Binion, supervisor of school counseling at the district. "Naviance has allowed our district counselors to provide a higher level of service to staff, students, and their families. Additionally, the data collection tools that Naviance provides have enabled us to work smarter. We now know exactly what areas to focus on when we plan for the upcoming year."

Other Virginia districts that are using Naviance are Arlington, Fairfax, and Loudoun County Public Schools.

About the Author

Dian Schaffhauser is a former senior contributing editor for 1105 Media's education publications THE Journal, Campus Technology and Spaces4Learning.

Featured

  • horizontal stack of U.S. dollar bills breaking in half

    ED Abruptly Cancels ESSER Funding Extensions

    The Department of Education has moved to close the door on COVID relief funding for schools, declaring that "extending deadlines for COVID-related grants, which are in fact taxpayer funds, years after the COVID pandemic ended is not consistent with the Department’s priorities and thus not a worthwhile exercise of its discretion."

  • illustration of a human head with a glowing neural network in the brain, connected to tech icons on a cool blue-gray background

    Meta Introduces Stand-Alone AI App

    Meta Platforms has launched a stand-alone artificial intelligence app built on its proprietary Llama 4 model, intensifying the competitive race in generative AI alongside OpenAI, Google, Anthropic, and xAI.

  • The AI Show

    Register for Free to Attend the World's Greatest Show for All Things AI in EDU

    The AI Show @ ASU+GSV, held April 5–7, 2025, at the San Diego Convention Center, is a free event designed to help educators, students, and parents navigate AI's role in education. Featuring hands-on workshops, AI-powered networking, live demos from 125+ EdTech exhibitors, and keynote speakers like Colin Kaepernick and Stevie Van Zandt, the event offers practical insights into AI-driven teaching, learning, and career opportunities. Attendees will gain actionable strategies to integrate AI into classrooms while exploring innovations that promote equity, accessibility, and student success.

  • robot waving

    Copilot Updates Aim to Personalize AI

    Microsoft has introduced a range of updates to its Copilot platform, marking a new phase in its effort to deliver what it calls a "true AI companion" that adapts to individual users' needs, preferences and routines.